M-13 combat rocket:
Caliber: 132 mm
explosive content: 4.9 kg
propellant powder charge weight: 7.1 kg (7 tubes of 40 x 16/550 mm diameter)
total weight: 42,5 kg
max. speed: 355 m/s
max. range: 8,470 m
probable range deviation: 130 m
probable lateral deviation: 188 m
The missile body was molded, the combustion chamber turned from seamless tube. Stabilization was provided by 4 aileron stabilizers.
The GVMZ igniter was adjustable for instantaneous (shattering) or delayed (jerking) function.
Other modifications of the original M-13 missile were developed during the war, viz:
M-13 UK- added auxiliary rotation using stabilizing nozzles to improve accuracy.
M-13 DD - two engines in a row-increased range-needed modified launchers due to significant wear on the original BM-13. New (1944) 10-fold spiral launcher BM-13 SN (Spiralnye Napravlyayushchie)
The M-20 - a rocket with greater bursting effect - (Amatol 40/60 - 18.4 kg) - reduced range. Not officially adopted into armament, but frequently used in combat.
M-30 M-30 - M-13 with large over-calibre warhead (300mm - 28.9 kg Amatol) - 8 stabilizers, range only 2,800 m. Necessity of a new launcher of 4 (eight) missiles.
The M-31 "Vanyusha" - an improvement of the M-30 - larger and more powerful engine - range 4,325 meters, produced from 6/1944. BM-31-12.
M-31 UK - improvement of M-31-increased accuracy with stabilizing nozzles. Range - 4.000m.
M-8- modified aerial RS-82. Range-5515m. BM-8-16. Very successful version. Copied by the Germans, improved and produced in limited numbers. The copied rocket launcher and missile were mounted on the 8 cm Raketen Vielfachwerfer auf Fahrgestell Maultier self-propelled armored rocket launcher and modified French utility halftracks 8 cm Raketen Vielfachwerfer auf Fahrgestell Zgkw S303(f).
The history of the "Katyusha" began in 1938. One of the main designers was J.A.Pobedonoscev. At the time of the invasion of the USSR, 8 pieces of these rocket launchers were built on the Zis-5 chassis.
On June 28, 1941, an experimental artillery battery was hastily formed at the 1st Moscow Artillery School of L.B. Krasin. After a few days it was given a new name Separate Artillery Battery. The deployment of a battery (seven pieces of vehicles BM-13-16, the eighth piece was on artillery trials in the coastal defense system in Sevastopol) of Guards rocket launchers under the command of Capt. Ivan Andreyevich Flyorov under 20th Army took place in the area of the railway transshipment point near Orsha. On 14 July 1941 at 15:15 the first salvo of 112 rockets was fired. The transshipment yard was full of train transports. The effect was overwhelming and totally devastating. The second salvo was fired at 16:45 hours to transport troops across the Orsica River. They subsequently withdrew as the hunt was on after the first German shock. High bounties and honours were issued for the capture of the machine. On 3 October 1941, the battery was surrounded between Smolensk and Roslavl, and the vehicle crews blew up their machines near the village of Bogatyr (54°51'15.64 "N 34°38'19.03 "E) in the Smolensk region. The commander of the Fljorov unit was killed in this battle.
Production first started at the Moscow plant Kompressor. The first rocket artillery units were formed right at the plant.