Brief Operational History

The Luna-M tactical rocket system was the final evolution of the family of unguided rockets developed by the Soviet Union to provide long range battlefield support.  The weapon has its origin during the early part of the Khrushchev administration when rockets began to replace heavy artillery in the Soviet Army.  During this time tactical rocket systems evolved rapidly and quickly replaced each other in service.

As with all vehicles in the family, the T-5e 'Luna-M' consisted of a single large rocket mounted on a transporter/launcher vehicle, but that is were the similarities ended.  The chassis of the 'Luna-M' differed significantly from its predecessors.  The earlier launchers were based on the PT-76 amphibious light tank, where the 'Luna-M' was based on the Zil-135 8x8 prime mover.  The launch rail of the modified Zil-135 had limited traverse capability and elevated faster than the earlier 'Luna' systems.  It was also equipped with a crane for rapid reloading of the R-65 and R-70 rockets.  These were carried by a Zil-135 re-supply vehicle which carried three rockets. 

The rockets were single stage solid fuel design with larger fins than its predecessors.  They were propelled by a single central sustainer surrounded by a ring of 20 boost nozzles which had been the standard arrangement since FROG-3.  Once fired, the rockets were spin stabilized by four small stabilizer nozzles just behind the nose of the rocket.  The stabilizers activate shortly after the rocket leaves the launcher.

The T-5e 'Luna-M' first entered service with Soviet line divisions in 1965, but was only seen by Western observers in 1967.  It received the NATO designation of FROG-7 meaning Free Rocket Over Ground 7.  In 1968 the Luna-M was equipped with a new R-75 rocket capable of carrying a 390kg  (860 lb) chemical warhead.  This rocket was designated the FROG-7b by NATO and all earlier Luna-M rockets were then re-designated FROG-7a.

As with many Soviet weapon systems the Luna-M was widely exported (in non-nuclear configuration) to allied nations.  Its first use in combat was was during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war where they were used by the Egyptian army against fixed targets in Sinai and later against the Israeli bridgehead across the Suez canal.  They caused little damage and the Israeli air defense forces claimed to have shot one rocket down.

The 'Luna-M' also saw use during the 1980 Iran-Iraq war where the Iraqi army used them to bombard Iranian cities located behind the main battle area.

In 1976 the replacement for the 'Luna-M' began to enter service in limited numbers.  This was the 9K79 'Tochka' known in the West as the SS-21 'Scarab'.  The 'Tochka' had a longer range, better accuracy, chemical protection for the crew, and a greater variety of warhead types.  Over the years the 'Tochka' gradually replaced the 'Luna-M' with front line units.

Tactical Use and Limitations

The T-5e 'Luna-M' (FROG-7) launchers were kept as a separate battalion within a Soviet Army division.  In that role they gave the division commander long range nuclear and chemical capability, as well as the ability to drop a 1000 pound explosive on static targets. 

In combat the launcher's four man crew would drive the vehicle to the designated firing position.  Then they would lower the four stabilizers (two in the rear of the truck and two just behind the front wheels) and obtain local weather information from the unit's meteorological section.  This data would then be run through firing tables and the launch rail elevated to the required setting.  The crew would then take shelter within the vehicle and await the command to fire.  In the nuclear role the 'Luna-M' would fire single rocket (up to 200 kilotons) equipped with air burst fuzes against opposing tactical nuclear systems, troop concentrations, headquarters, and communications facilities.

The Luna-M was a very successful weapon system that adequately performed the function it was designed for.  It was easier to maintain than its tracked predecessors and its off road performance was comparable.  Maintenance issues for the Zil-135 chassis were also easier to deal with as the vehicle had many interchangeable parts with the standard Zil-135 prime mover.  The 'Luna-M' was not amphibious, but this was also not an issue as its predecessor was not either.  Its reload time of 15 - 30 minutes was slightly faster than earlier variants.

Any limitations that the 'Luna-M' suffered from were simply technological limitations of the day.  Weapons technology improved and allowed for a much more capable weapon system that exceeded the performance characteristics of the 'Luna-M' in virtually every way.

Deployment Chronology

The T-5e 'Luna-M' was a very successful battlefield rocket that was widely deployed in the later stages of the Cold War.  It represented the last of the FROG-series of battlefield rocket systems.  In this section  you can find out more about the weapon systems that the T-5e 'Luna-M' replaced and what rocket system eventually replaced it by clicking on the links below.

Sources Cited

Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you.  We hope you can find them as useful as we have.

• Russian Military Power, edited by Ray Bonds, published in the United States by Bonanza books, New York, New York, 1982

• FM-100-2 The Soviet Army 'Troops, Organization, and Equipment', Headquarters Department of the Army, published by U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984.

• The Encyclopedia of World Military Weapons, edited by Chris Bishop and Ian Drury, published by Crescent Books, New York, New York, 1988