| The multiple launch rocket system BM-14-16 was developed at the beginning of 50s on base of BM-13-16 “Katiusha” which gained the immortal glory and was high esteemed as the symbol of Soviet rocket artillery power during WW II.
The artillery part of the system was installed on ZiL–157 truck with high cross-country capabilities and was formed by 16 launch tubes. The laying equipment–elevating and traversing mechanism–was hand-operated. The BM-14-16 was able to fire all 16 turbo-rocket projectiles of M-140 type with fragmentation, chemical or smoke charge within 10–12 seconds.
The tactical role of the MLRS BM-14-16 was to destroy enemy forces at the battlefield, including armor and fortifications. This new system possessed the bigger range of fire and better grouping of shots then its predecessor BM-13-16 “Katiusha”.
The BM-14-16 were in service with Soviet and Warsaw Pact armies, armed forces of soviet orientation countries. Rocket system of this type were in action during conflicts at Near East and Africa regions, also Vietnam war.
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