US to supply Ukraine with 4,000 Zuni 127mm rockets able to engage air and ground targets.

According to the new list of weapons of the U.S. military aid package for Ukraine published on January 6, 2023, the United States will provide 4,000 Zuni, unguided and guided rockets developed by the Hunter-Douglas Division of Bridgeport Brass Company and deployed by the United States armed forces, and the French Air Force.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Wilbur Haines loads a 2.75 inch Zuni Rocket into an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

The Zuni aircraft rockets can be mounted on Ukraine's existing aircraft to engage air or ground targets in the category of air defense, which is still a top priority for Ukraine.

The Zuni is a 127mm rocket available in guided and unguided versions designed to be used for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations with an operational range of 8 km. The rocket can be fitted with various types of warheads including high explosive, dual purpose, and fragmentation, along with illumination, smoke, and chaff variants. It is usually fired from the LAU-10 rocket pod holding four rockets.

MBDA has developed a laser-guided version of the Zuni rocket which can be air-launched. It has an 18 kg warhead that is lethal against both fixed and moving targets. It is optimized to attack fixed and fleeting targets that require a high-speed, precise, and low collateral damage weapon.

The Laser-Guided Zuni Rocket WGU-58/B active guidance and control system easily attaches to existing unguided 5-inch Zuni rocket motors and warheads in the field. The aircraft interface remains the same for the Laser Guided Zuni Rocket permitting rapid transition to precise attack.

Existing LAU-10 launchers each carry four Laser Guided Zuni Rockets. Aircraft equipped with the Laser Guided Zuni are able to engage two to four times the targets than other available laser-guided weapons.