Rakettilaitteiden

Rakettilaitteiden, meaning "rocket launchers" in Finnish, refers to a category of weapons designed to fire rockets. These weapons can range from man-portable systems to vehicle-mounted artillery. The rockets themselves typically contain a warhead and a propulsion system, usually a solid-fuel rocket motor.

The principle behind rocket launchers is to accelerate a projectile to a high velocity using the thrust generated by the rocket motor. Unlike guns that fire solid projectiles, rocket launchers fire self-propelled munitions. This allows for a greater range and the ability to carry larger warheads compared to similarly sized conventional artillery.

Man-portable rocket launchers, often referred to as recoilless rifles or rocket-propelled grenade launchers (RPGs), are commonly used by infantry for anti-tank or anti-fortification purposes. They are designed to be relatively lightweight and easy to operate.

Larger rocket launcher systems are typically mounted on vehicles, such as trucks or armored personnel carriers. These systems can fire volleys of rockets with precision, making them effective for area bombardment or providing suppressive fire. The rockets can be unguided, relying on the launcher's aim, or guided, employing various guidance systems to increase accuracy.

The development of rocket launchers has a long history, with early forms appearing in ancient China. Modern rocket launchers, particularly those used in military contexts, have seen significant advancements in range, accuracy, and payload capabilities. They remain a crucial component of many modern armies.