5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket

The 5-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.

5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket
FFARs being loaded
TypeAir-to-surface rocket
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used byUnited States military
Production history
Produced1943-1945
Specifications (5-inch FFAR)
Mass80 pounds (36 kg)
Length5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)
DiameterWarhead: 5 inches (130 mm)
Motor: 3.5 inches (89 mm)
WarheadHigh explosive
Warhead weight45 pounds (20 kg)

EngineSolid-fuel rocket
Operational
range
1 mile (1.6 km)
Maximum speed 485 miles per hour (781 km/h)
Guidance
system
None

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 ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) 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 5-inch anti-aircraft shell was attached to the 3.5-inch rocket motor, creating the 5-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. Parsch 2004
  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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