5-Inch_Forward_Firing_Aircraft_Rocket

5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket

5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket

Air-to-surface rocket

For other rockets with the same acronym, see 3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket and Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket.

The five-inch forward-firing aircraft rocket or FFAR was an American rocket developed during World War II for attack from airplanes against ground and ship targets.

Quick Facts Five-inch forward-firing aircraft rocket, Type ...

Operational history

The first FFARs were developed by the U.S. Navy and introduced in June 1943. They had a 3.5-inch diameter and a non-explosive warhead, since they were used as an aircraft-launched anti-submarine warfare (ASW) rocket and worked by puncturing the hull. It was accurate enough for use against surface ships and land targets, but these missions required an explosive warhead.[1] A five-inch anti-aircraft shell was attached to the 3.5-inch rocket motor, creating the five-inch FFAR, which entered service in December 1943. Performance was limited because of the increased weight, limiting speed to 780 km/h (485 mph).[2] The high-velocity aircraft rocket, or HVAR, was developed to fix this flaw.[2]

The FFAR was used by the Douglas SBD Dauntless (dive bomber), the Grumman TBF Avenger (torpedo bomber) and the Vought F4U Corsair (carrier based fighter).

See also

References

Citations
  1. [1]
    Parsch 2004
  2. [2]
    Parsch 2006
Bibliography
  • Parsch, Andreas (2004). "Air-Launched 3.5-Inch Rockets". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Archived from the original on 15 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  • Parsch, Andreas (2006). "Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Archived from the original on 15 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
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