Piorun (missile)

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Piorun
PPZR Piorun Grom-M.jpg
PPZR Piorun missile with launcher
TypeMan-portable air-defense system
Place of originPoland
Service history
In service2019–present
Used byPolish Armed Forces, United States Army, Armed Forces of Ukraine
Production history
ManufacturerMesko, Skarżysko-Kamienna
Produced2016–present
Specifications
Mass16.5 kilograms (36 lb), and for missile only 10.5 kilograms (23 lb)
Diameter72 millimetres (2.8 in)
Warhead weight1.82 kilograms (4.0 lb)
Detonation
mechanism
contact
Enginesolid fuel rocket
Operational
range
6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi)
Flight altitude4 kilometres (13,000 ft)
Maximum speed 660 metres per second (2,200 ft/s)
Guidance
system
infrared
Launch
platform
MANPADS

The Piorun (meaning "thunderbolt" in Polish) is a man-portable air-defense system of Polish production, designed to destroying low-flying aircraft, airplanes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The set is a deep modernization of the PPZR Grom set, therefore the second designation of the missile is GROM-M. The full name of the set is PPZR Piorun (pol. Przenośny Przeciwlotniczy Zestaw Rakietowy Piorun).[1]

History[]

The Piorun Portable Anti-Aircraft Missile System is produced by the Mesko company and was created as a result of the GROM system modernization carried out in 2010-2015. As part of the modernization, the effectiveness of the homing warhead was significantly improved by increasing the sensitivity of detection, which increased the distance at which the missile is able to target and hit the target, increased resistance to interference was obtained, a proximity fuse was used, an access authorization system and the set for fire was adapted in night conditions.[2][3][4]

In 2016, the Ministry of National Defence signed a contract for the purchase of 420 launchers (launch mechanisms) and 1,300 rockets for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. The deliveries are planned for 2017-2020. As a result of delays resulting from technical problems related to the propulsion system, which were, however, resolved and after a successful acceptance test, the delivery of rockets and launch devices began in 2019. In 2020, Piorun missiles were fired from Poprad self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems. The missiles are used not only by Poprad, but also by anti-aircraft missile and artillery system .[2][1]

In 2022, Poland announced it would supply Ukraine with Pioruns amid the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis. [5]

On February 11th 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense ordered the Piorun MANPADs system from Poland for the United States Army's VSHORAD requirements.[6]

Technical data[]

System operation 1 person
Set weight 16,5 kg
Missile weight 10,5 kg
Warhead weight 1,82 kg
Missile length 1596 mm
Missile diameter 72 mm
Missile maximum speed 660 m/s
Maximum speed of hit targets on the:
  • meeting course
  • pursuit course
  • 400 m/s
  • 320 m/s
Minimum / maximum range of hitting targets 400-6500 m
The minimum / maximum height of the target's destruction 10-4000 m
Guidance system Infrared

Operators[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Pierwsze strzelanie Piorunami z Popradów". www.milmag.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  2. ^ a b "PPZR PIORUN". wml.wat.edu.pl. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  3. ^ "Pioruny i nowe Spike już w wojsku - Defence24". www.defence24.pl. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  4. ^ "Umowa na zakup zestawów "PIORUN"". Ministry of National Defence (Poland).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Польща передає Україні новітні ПЗРК "Перун"". February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  6. ^ https://defence24.com/industry/polish-piorun-manpads-exported-to-us-and-provided-to-ukraine-a-success-for-mesko-company
  7. ^ https://defence24.com/industry/polish-piorun-manpads-exported-to-us-and-provided-to-ukraine-a-success-for-mesko-company
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