3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket
Encyclopedia
The 3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket, or 3.5-Inch FFAR, was an American rocket
developed during World War II
to allow aircraft to attack enemy submarines at range. The rocket proved an operational success, and spawned several improved versions for use against surface and land targets.
of rocket-propelled, air-launched weapons for anti-submarine warfare
during 1942, the United States Navy
launched a high-priority project during the summer of 1943 for the development of an anti-submarine rocket of its own.
The resulting rocket was a simple design with four tailfins for stabilisation at the rear, powered by a rocket motor that had been under development by Caltech since 1943.von Braun and Ordway 1975, p.98. No warhead was fitted; rather, the rocket's nose was a solid steel mass, weighing 20 pounds (9.1 kg), that was intended to puncture the pressure hull of a target submarine through the sheer kinetic energy of its flight; launched in a dive, the rocket's speed could exceed 800 miles per hour (357.6 m/s), and it remained effective against submarine targets up to depths of 130 feet (39.6 m) below water
torpedo bomber
, due to the mass and drag caused by its rail launchers; tests determined that more streamlined "zero length launchers" could be used, allowing the rocket to be carried by a variety of carrier-based aircraft.
Although the rocket's accuracy was more than sufficient to allow usage against surface targets, the narrow body diameter restricted the size of any explosive warhead that could be fitted. Therefore, for use against ships and land targets, the rocket was modified with a warhead derived from a 5 inches (12.7 cm) anti-aircraft shell, producing the 5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket.
Rocket (weapon)
A rocket is a self propelled, unguided weapon system powered by a rocket motor.- Categorisation :In military parlance, powered munitions are broadly categorised as follows:* A powered, unguided munition is known as a rocket....
developed during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to allow aircraft to attack enemy submarines at range. The rocket proved an operational success, and spawned several improved versions for use against surface and land targets.
Design and development
Following trials by the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
of rocket-propelled, air-launched weapons for anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
during 1942, the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
launched a high-priority project during the summer of 1943 for the development of an anti-submarine rocket of its own.
The resulting rocket was a simple design with four tailfins for stabilisation at the rear, powered by a rocket motor that had been under development by Caltech since 1943.von Braun and Ordway 1975, p.98. No warhead was fitted; rather, the rocket's nose was a solid steel mass, weighing 20 pounds (9.1 kg), that was intended to puncture the pressure hull of a target submarine through the sheer kinetic energy of its flight; launched in a dive, the rocket's speed could exceed 800 miles per hour (357.6 m/s), and it remained effective against submarine targets up to depths of 130 feet (39.6 m) below water
Operational history
Following expedited development, the weapon, officially designated the 3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aerial Rocket, entered operational service with the U.S. Navy late in 1943; production of 10,000 rockets per month had been ordered that August. The FFAR's first "kill" of an enemy submarine took place in 1944. The rocket was originally only carried by the TBF AvengerTBF Avenger
The Grumman TBF Avenger was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air or naval arms around the world....
torpedo bomber
Torpedo bomber
A torpedo bomber is a bomber aircraft designed primarily to attack ships with aerial torpedoes which could also carry out conventional bombings. Torpedo bombers existed almost exclusively prior to and during World War II when they were an important element in many famous battles, notably the...
, due to the mass and drag caused by its rail launchers; tests determined that more streamlined "zero length launchers" could be used, allowing the rocket to be carried by a variety of carrier-based aircraft.
Although the rocket's accuracy was more than sufficient to allow usage against surface targets, the narrow body diameter restricted the size of any explosive warhead that could be fitted. Therefore, for use against ships and land targets, the rocket was modified with a warhead derived from a 5 inches (12.7 cm) anti-aircraft shell, producing the 5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket.