Ram (rocket)
Encyclopedia
The Ram, also known as the 6.5-Inch Anti-Tank Aircraft Rocket or ATAR, was an air-to-ground rocket used by the United States Navy
during the Korean War. Developed rapidly, the rocket proved successful but was phased out shortly after the end of the conflict.
s, as the existing "Holy Moses
" high-velocity aircraft rocket was expected to be ineffective against the armor of JS-3 heavy tanks.
The development of an improved rocket was undertaken with remarkable speed; a directive to start work on the project was issued on July 6, 1950, and the first rockets were delivered to the war zone on July 29. Over the course of those 23 days, the Naval Ordnance Test Station, located in China Lake, California, developed an improved version of the HVAR, with a new, 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) shaped-charge warhead replacing the earlier weapon's 5 inches (12.7 cm) charge. The fuse for the shaped charge, developed with the same haste as the rocket itself, was considered dangerous, but proved to be safe enough in service; it was described as being "[not] as dangerous as the Russian tanks" it was designed to destroy.
The RAM was the first aircraft rocket to carry a shaped charge
warhead, and was described as being superior in armour penetration to the conventional bazooka
's warhead, being capable of penetrating up to 24 inches (61 cm) of armor plate.
In operational service, the Ram was fitted to the F-51 Mustang, F-80 Shooting Star and F4U Corsair
aircraft, and it proved to be moderately effective, with the first 150 rockets fired scoring "at least" eight confirmed kills of North Korean tanks. However, the rocket proved to be unpopular with pilots, due to the close approach to the target required for accurate firing; the HVAR offered a longer range, while napalm was considered more effective if the range had to be closed. With the end of the war in 1953, the ATAR was withdrawn from service, improved versions of the HVAR having become available as an alternative.
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...
during the Korean War. Developed rapidly, the rocket proved successful but was phased out shortly after the end of the conflict.
Design and development
In 1950, the outbreak of the Korean War resulted in the United States Navy urgently requiring an aircraft-launched rocket that would be effective against enemy tankTank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s, as the existing "Holy Moses
High velocity aircraft rocket
The High Velocity Aircraft Rocket, or HVAR, also known by the nickname Holy Moses, was an American unguided rocket developed during World War II to attack targets on the ground from aircraft...
" high-velocity aircraft rocket was expected to be ineffective against the armor of JS-3 heavy tanks.
The development of an improved rocket was undertaken with remarkable speed; a directive to start work on the project was issued on July 6, 1950, and the first rockets were delivered to the war zone on July 29. Over the course of those 23 days, the Naval Ordnance Test Station, located in China Lake, California, developed an improved version of the HVAR, with a new, 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) shaped-charge warhead replacing the earlier weapon's 5 inches (12.7 cm) charge. The fuse for the shaped charge, developed with the same haste as the rocket itself, was considered dangerous, but proved to be safe enough in service; it was described as being "[not] as dangerous as the Russian tanks" it was designed to destroy.
The RAM was the first aircraft rocket to carry a shaped charge
Shaped charge
A shaped charge is an explosive charge shaped to focus the effect of the explosive's energy. Various types are used to cut and form metal, to initiate nuclear weapons, to penetrate armor, and in the oil and gas industry...
warhead, and was described as being superior in armour penetration to the conventional bazooka
Bazooka
Bazooka is the common name for a man-portable recoilless rocket antitank weapon, widely fielded by the U.S. Army. Also referred to as the "Stovepipe", the innovative bazooka was amongst the first-generation of rocket propelled anti-tank weapons used in infantry combat...
's warhead, being capable of penetrating up to 24 inches (61 cm) of armor plate.
Operational history
Officially designated the 6.5-Inch Anti-Tank Aircraft Rocket, and commonly known in service as "Ram", the new rocket was rushed to the Korean front, being used in combat for the first time on August 16, 1950. Despite the haste with which the weapon had been developed, the very first shipment included a full set of documentation and firing tables for the use of the rocket. The first 600 rockets were constructed by hand, but a production line was rapidly set up.In operational service, the Ram was fitted to the F-51 Mustang, F-80 Shooting Star and F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
aircraft, and it proved to be moderately effective, with the first 150 rockets fired scoring "at least" eight confirmed kills of North Korean tanks. However, the rocket proved to be unpopular with pilots, due to the close approach to the target required for accurate firing; the HVAR offered a longer range, while napalm was considered more effective if the range had to be closed. With the end of the war in 1953, the ATAR was withdrawn from service, improved versions of the HVAR having become available as an alternative.