Piorun (missile)

Piorun
PPZR Piorun missile with launcher
Type	Man-portable air-defense system
Place of origin	Poland
Service history
In service	2019–present
Used by	Polish Armed Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine
Wars	2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Manufacturer	Mesko, Skarżysko-Kamienna
Produced	2016–present
Specifications
Mass	16.5 kilograms (36 lb), and for missile only 10.5 kilograms (23 lb)
Diameter	72 millimetres (2.8 in)
Warhead weight	1.82 kilograms (4.0 lb)
Detonation mechanism	proximity
Engine	solid fuel rocket
Operational range	6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi)
Flight altitude	4 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 language) is a man-portable air-defense system of Polish production, designed to destroy 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).

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 2010–15. 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 fuze was used, an access authorization system and the set for fire was adapted in night conditions.

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 2017–20. 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 PSR-A Pilica.

In 2022, Poland announced the rapid supply of Ukraine with Pioruns amid the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.

Technical data

System operation	1 person
Set weight	16.5 kg
Missile weight	10.5 kg
Warhead weight	1.82 kg
Missile length	1,596 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
Detection range	8,000m
Minimum / maximum range of hitting targets	400-6,500 m
The minimum / maximum height of the target's destruction	10-4,000 m
Guidance system	Infrared

Operators

• Poland - by the end of 2021, about 730 missiles and 260 starting sets were delivered;
• Ukraine - undisclosed delivered in 2022. The Ukrainian army, during the conduct of hostilities with the Russian actions, confirmed that some Russian planes (Su-34, Su-25) and helicopters (Mi-24) were shot down with Piorun sets;
• United States - ordered in 2022.