RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher

Last updated: 1.003.101
Current patch: 1.005.002

Support WeaponHellpodBackpackMedium Armor PenetratingStationary Reload

“
Fires a rocket that detonates within proximity of a target, and deploys a cluster of explosive bomblets.
— Ship Management Terminal

The RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher, also known as the ABRL, is a Support Weapon that fires a cluster rocket designed for neutralizing several light-medium enemies with a single shot.

Stratagem Statistics

General
Call-in Time	Standard	7.75 seconds
Call-in Time	Upgraded	4.75 seconds
Uses	Unlimited
Cooldown	Standard	480 seconds
	With Morale Augmentation	456 seconds
	With Streamlined Request Process	432 seconds
	With All Upgrades	410.4 seconds

Detailed Weapon Statistics

RL-77 AIRBURST ROCKET LAUNCHER
Fire Rate	600 rpm
Recoil	77.5
Horizontal Recoil	45
Vertical Recoil	110
Spread	↔[4.00] ↕[4.00]
Sway	1
Ergonomics	10
Capacity	1
Spare Magazines	5
Starting Magazines	5
Mags from Supply	3
Mags from Ammo Box	1
Attacks
*20mm FLAK ROUNDS P2	Projectile
*CLUSTER BOMB P2	Projectile
**20mm FLAK ROUNDS P2 IE	Explosion
**CLUSTER BOMB P2 IE	Explosion
***CLUSTER BOMB P1	Projectile
***CLUSTER BOMB P3	Projectile
****CLUSTER BOMB P1 IE	Explosion

20mm FLAK ROUNDS P2
Projectile
Caliber	85 mm
Mass	3.3 kg
Initial Velocity	250 m/s
Drag Factor	30%
Gravity Factor	100%
Lifetime	1.5 sec
Penetration Slowdown	25%
Explosion On Impact	20mm FLAK ROUNDS_P2_IE
Explode After	20mm FLAK ROUNDS_P2_IE
Damage
Standard	350 Ballistic
vs. Durable	350 Ballistic
Penetration
Direct	Medium
Slight Angle	Medium
Large Angle	Medium
Extreme Angle	Unarmored I
Special Effects
Demolition Force	30
Stagger Force	50
Push Force	40

20mm FLAK ROUNDS P2 IE
Area of Effect
Inner Radius	3 m
Outer Radius	5 m
Shockwave Radius	7 m
Shrapnel Count	25
Shrapnel	CLUSTER BOMB_P1
Damage
Damage Element	None
Inner Radius	150 Explosion
Inner Durable	150 Explosion
Outer Radius	149 - 0
Outer Durable	149 - 0
Penetration
Direct	Medium
Slight Angle	Medium
Large Angle	Medium
AoE Effect
Demolition Force	25
Stagger Force	25
Push Force	40

CLUSTER BOMB P1
Projectile
Caliber	40 mm
Mass	100 g
Initial Velocity	25 m/s
Drag Factor	50%
Gravity Factor	400%
Lifetime	0.800000012 sec
Penetration Slowdown	25%
Explosion On Impact	CLUSTER BOMB_P1_IE
Explode After	CLUSTER BOMB_P1_IE
Damage
Standard	150 Ballistic
vs. Durable	150 Ballistic
Penetration
Direct	Medium
Slight Angle	Medium
Large Angle	Medium
Extreme Angle	Unarmored I
Special Effects
Demolition Force	25
Stagger Force	25
Push Force	40

CLUSTER BOMB P1 IE
Area of Effect
Inner Radius	4 m
Outer Radius	6 m
Shockwave Radius	8 m
Damage
Damage Element	None
Inner Radius	500 Explosion
Inner Durable	500 Explosion
Outer Radius	499 - 0
Outer Durable	499 - 0
Penetration
Direct	Medium
AoE Effect
Demolition Force	20
Stagger Force	25
Push Force	40

CLUSTER BOMB P2
Projectile
Caliber	85 mm
Mass	3.3 kg
Initial Velocity	250 m/s
Drag Factor	30%
Gravity Factor	100%
Lifetime	0.25 sec
Penetration Slowdown	25%
Explosion On Impact	CLUSTER BOMB_P2_IE
Explode After	CLUSTER BOMB_P2_IE
Damage
Standard	350 Ballistic
vs. Durable	350 Ballistic
Penetration
Direct	Medium
Slight Angle	Medium
Large Angle	Medium
Extreme Angle	Unarmored I
Special Effects
Demolition Force	30
Stagger Force	50
Push Force	40

CLUSTER BOMB P2 IE
Area of Effect
Inner Radius	3 m
Outer Radius	5 m
Shockwave Radius	7 m
Shrapnel Count	25
Shrapnel	CLUSTER BOMB_P3
Damage
Damage Element	None
Inner Radius	150 Explosion
Inner Durable	150 Explosion
Outer Radius	149 - 0
Outer Durable	149 - 0
Penetration
Direct	Medium
Slight Angle	Medium
Large Angle	Medium
AoE Effect
Demolition Force	25
Stagger Force	25
Push Force	40

CLUSTER BOMB P3
Projectile
Caliber	40 mm
Mass	100 g
Initial Velocity	25 m/s
Drag Factor	50%
Gravity Factor	400%
Penetration Slowdown	25%
Explosion On Impact	CLUSTER BOMB_P1_IE
Explode After	CLUSTER BOMB_P1_IE
Damage
Standard	150 Ballistic
vs. Durable	150 Ballistic
Penetration
Direct	Medium
Slight Angle	Medium
Large Angle	Medium
Extreme Angle	Unarmored I
Special Effects
Demolition Force	25
Stagger Force	25
Push Force	40

Functionality

The RL-77 has two firing modes: Flak and Cluster. Its default mode is Flak.

Flak Mode uses a proximity fuse that detonates 0.2 s after the rocket detects a target or obstacle within 2 m. It has a 1.5 s lifetime fuse or maximum range of 375 m. The bomblets have random time fuses lasting no more than 0.7 s.
- The minimum safe distance is ~30 m from the center of the explosion cluster in Flak mode.
- The timed fuses of the bomblets mean it may not damage everything below if it disperses too high up. For example, if fired past a Factory Strider's main body, the Devastators at its feet may survive some of the blasts.
Cluster Mode utilizes an impact fuse rocket with a 0.25 s lifetime and a maximum range of 62.5 m. The bomblets will detonate upon impact after dispersing.
- The rocket's Cluster mode minimum safe distance varies by its altitude when its fuse expires. The higher one aims, the larger the area saturated by bomblets.
- The maximum dispersion radius of a Cluster mode rocket on level ground is 60 meters if fired straight upwards. It should be noted that this does not disperse the bomblets sparsely enough to ensure safety for the Helldiver firing the rocket.

Tactical Information

The RL-77 Airburst is notorious for causing casualties to Helldivers and enemies alike due to its very wide area of effect. However, when used responsibly, it can be highly effective at clearing hordes or patrols of light and medium enemies with a single rocket.
Helldivers should account for travel time and projectile drop when aiming at distant enemies with Flak mode.
- In terms of ballistics, the RL-77 projectile behaves identically to that of the GR-8 Recoilless Rifle, and the two weapons share an identical sight. However, it is generally advised to aim slightly above the projected impact point with the RL-77; this way, the flak round can detonate above the target rather than in front of it.
Using Cluster as the "default" firemode can be helpful in preventing accidents. The lack of a proximity fuse will prevent premature detonations on enemies that the user does not intend to shoot.
- However, the bomblets will only explode upon impact, meaning that they can fall further than intended and hit teammates.
The relatively short range of the Cluster mode can be used to the user's advantage. With the aid of enemy pings or the radar, the RL-77's rocket can be shot so that it detonates above or behind enemies.
- This has the ability to kill enemy groups without needing line of sight of them, a useful ability when fighting in Colonies or other low-vision environments.
While the RL-77 excels at eliminating groups of weaker enemies, it is capable of killing heavier targets. However, the player must target appropriate weakpoints due to its Medium armor penetration.
- Against targets close to the ground, the RL-77 can concentrate its bomblets and detonate a large majority of them close to or directly on a vulnerable weakpoint. The Cluster mode may be useful in ensuring that bomblets properly explode on these weakpoints.
- The RL-77 is ineffective against enemies like the Bile Titan or Factory Strider, which lack easily-destroyed weakpoints and do not allow for the RL-77's bomblets to concentrate their damage.
The RL-77 is highly effective against Fleshmobs, easily able to kill one or multiple with a single shot. This is due to their low Unarmored I protection more than offsetting their otherwise high HP.
Like the GR-8 Recoilless Rifle, the RL-77 has a backblast when fired, knocking down any unfortunate Helldivers standing behind the operator.
Like other backpack weapons, the RL-77 has a lengthy reload that can be alleviated by an assisting Helldiver.
- The backpack on the assisting Helldiver can be obtrusive if firing in third-person, due to the rockets' length. Aiming down sights or using the "switch shoulder" keybind may make it easier to acquire targets.

Applicable Ship Modules

The following Ship Modules affect the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher:

Department	Ship Module	Effect
Patriotic Administration Center	Streamlined Request Process	Decreases Support Weapon stratagem cooldown by 10%.
	Superior Packing Methodology	Resupply stratagem boxes refill Support Weapons with the maximum number of carriable magazines.
	Payroll Management System	Reduces reload time for all support weapons by 10%.
Bridge	Morale Augmentation	Reduces cooldown time for all Stratagems by 5%.
Engineering Bay	Streamlined Launch Process	All Support Weapons launch immediately once called in, reducing overall deployment time.

Media

Tutorial Video Demonstrating Use of the Airburst Rocket Launcher
Range Finding Guide for the RL-77

Trivia

“
MAJOR ORDER: Helldivers, it's time to choose between liberating Choohe or Penta. Depending on your choice, you will receive either the MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines or the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher.
(And you'll save the citizens. Don't forget the citizens.)
— Helldivers 2 Official Twitter(X)

In "Operation Legitimate Undertaking, Phase I: Citizen Rescue", the Major Order on the 26th of April, 2024, Helldivers had to choose between the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher, and the MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines by liberating Choohe or Penta, respectively. When Penta was liberated first, the stratagem was fully unlocked.
- This Major Order was the first of multiple involving the Anti-Tank Mines not being unlocked, leading to them not being unlocked for a while.
- Due to the way Supply Lines worked, there was some confusion as to how to reach Choohe. This confusion led to the eventual revamp of the Galactic Map, which showcasing more information.
The RL-77 has a notorious reputation due to its initial release behavior, where its proximity fuse was significantly more sensitive, causing the munition to explode around any nearby object.
- This was later patched, alongside a Cluster munition option being added, though veteran Helldivers tend to give it a wide berth in case of friendly-fire.

Change History

Patch

Description

1.003.101
2025-06-10

Fix

Fixed firing mode icons being overwritten by the Warrant's "Guided/Unguided" Mode.

1.002.001
2024-12-13

Changes

New weapon function: In addition to the existing ‘Flak’ projectiles, players can now switch to ‘Cluster’ munition projectiles. Cluster projectiles detonate based on a timer, not a proximity trigger. Both modes deploy the same number of bombs, with the following differences:
- Flak projectiles and bombs work the same as before
- Cluster munition bombs have a short arming time
- Cluster munition bombs do not have detonation timers

1.001.201
2024-10-29

Fix

Fixed dead corpses setting off the rockets from the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher.

1.001.104
2024-10-15

Change

Reload duration reduced from 7 to 5 sec.

Undocumented Change

Bomblet explosion damage increased from 250 to 500 due to sharing the same Damage ID as G-6 Frag Grenades.

1.000.304
2024-05-14

Fix

Airburst proximity explosion is now triggered only by enemies & Helldivers.
- The change for the rocket to trigger near Helldivers was never implemented.

1.000.300
2024-04-29

Changes

Airburst Rocket Launcher will no longer detonate when shot near stratagems (HMG turret, Sentries, Resupplies) and other Helldivers.
Reduced proximity radius

Fix

Explosive weapons no longer pull players inward from the blast.

1.000.203
2024-04-16

Addition

Added to the game.

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