BM-13N Rocket Launcher (1943)

The legendary Soviet BM-13N "Katyusha" multiple launch rocket system (1943 model) consists of an artillery unit mounted on the chassis of a Studebaker US6-U3—a 6x6, three-axle, all-wheel-drive truck. The base vehicle is powered by a 95 hp, 5.24-liter Hercules JXD six-cylinder side-valve gasoline engine and features a 5-speed manual transmission and a 2-speed transfer case, resulting in a vehicle weight of 5.4 tons and a top highway speed of 70 km/h. The artillery system comprises sixteen 5-meter-long rail-type launchers mounted on a welded truss frame; this assembly sits on a turntable equipped with manual mechanisms for elevation (ranging from +7° to +45°) and traverse (10° to either side). It fires 132mm M-13 high-explosive fragmentation spin-stabilized rockets, each weighing 42.5 kg, with a maximum range of 8,470 meters. The vehicle design incorporates hinged metal armored shields for the cab windshields and fold-down screw jacks at the rear of the frame to stabilize the chassis and absorb recoil forces during a salvo. A mechanical-electrical firing control panel enables the sequential launch of all 16 rockets within 7 to 10 seconds. The standardized Studebaker US6-U3 chassis ensures excellent off-road capability, frame durability under firing loads, and the maneuverability required to rapidly change combat positions.