The BM-24 is the Soviet Katyusha, Soviet Army was equipped with BM-24 after WWII. The BM-24 multiple launch rocket system fired the powerful M-24F 240mm rockets, each carrying 27,4 kg of the explosive. In addition to the M-24F, the system could also fire the M-24FUD, having the lighter 18,4 kg shell, but with a longer 10.6 km range. The system had 12 launch tubes located on a rotary frame, disposed on a stub pole at the vehicle rear. The lining and turning mechanisms were hand driven. The cabin and fuel tanks were protected from rocket's exhaust by steel skin plates. Two jacks were set against the soil before shooting to discharge the back axles springs and to stabilize the platform. The 95 hp engine permitted the BM-24 to reach a speed 55 kph on the highway and to have a range of up to 600 km.
Israel developed Israeli version of the Katyusha from the Soviet Katyusha the BM-24, that were captured from arabs in the Six Day War (1967).
They were in two battallions in Yom Kippur War (1973) and later in Peace For Galilee (1982).
Israeli Katyusha were success, and later the Sherman was used by the IDF as a multy-purpose platform carrier. Among others, the launcher of 240mm rockets was mounted, similar to those fired by the famous Soviet Katyusha.
Development of the Israeli Katyusha and it's manufacture was very important step, but it wasn't enough, Israeli needed more advance artillery for bigger range (Katyusha range was only 10 km) this become very clear in War of Attrition when Egyptian had more artillery power than Israel, Israeli answer to this problem was only her air-force. |
