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.
| RAM | |
|---|---|
_on_21_May_1951_(80-G-439903).jpg) RAM (lower) and HVAR rockets mounted on a F4U Corsair | |
| Type | Air-to-surface rocket |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950–54 |
| Used by | United States Navy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Naval Ordnance Test Station |
| Produced | 1944–55 |
| Specifications | |
| Diameter | 6.5 inches (165 mm) |
| Warhead | Composition B, shaped charge |
| Warhead weight | 19.6 pounds (8.9 kg)[1] |
| Blast yield | 24 inches (610 mm) penetration |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
Guidance system | None |
Design and development
editIn 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 tanks,[2] as the existing High Velocity Aircraft Rocket (HVAR) high-velocity aircraft rocket was expected to be ineffective against the armor of IS-3 heavy tanks.[3]
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.[4] Over the course of those 23 days, the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, located in China Lake, California, developed an improved version of the HVAR, with a new, 6.5 inches (165 mm) shaped-charge warhead replacing the earlier weapon's 5 inches (127 mm) charge.[2] 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.[5] Claimed as being superior in armor penetration to the conventional 3.5 inch bazooka's warhead,[4] which could penetrate 11 inches (279 mm) of armor,[6] the RAM's warhead was capable of penetrating 24 inches (610 mm) of armor plate.[7]
Operational history
editOfficially designated the 6.5-Inch Anti-Tank Aircraft Rocket (ATAR), and commonly known in service as "RAM", the new rocket was rushed to the Korean front,[2] being used in combat for the first time on August 16, 1950.[4] 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.[8] The first 600 rockets were constructed by hand,[3] but a production line was rapidly set up.[4]
In operational service, the RAM was fitted to the F-51 Mustang, F-80 Shooting Star and F4U Corsair aircraft,[9] and it proved to be moderately effective,[2] with the first 150 rockets fired scoring "at least" eight confirmed kills of North Korean tanks.[9] However, the rocket proved to be unpopular with pilots, due to the close approach to the target required for accurate firing execution; the HVAR offered a longer range, while napalm was considered more effective if the range had to be closed.[10] With the end of the war in 1953, the ATAR was withdrawn from service,[10] improved versions of the HVAR having become available as an alternative.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit
Notes
edit- ^ "Rocket Assemblies Complete Rounds and Components Data" (PDF). NAVSEA. May 11, 1955. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Parsch 2004
- ^ a b Babcock 1998, p.177
- ^ Babcock 1998, p.179
- ^ http://www.koreanwaronline.com/history/Bazooka/1.pdf Department of the ARMY Technical Manual TM 9-297, Aug 1950 - 3.5 Inch Rocket Launchers M20 and M20B1
- ^ Magnificent Mavericks: Transition of the Naval Ordnance Test Station from Rocket Station to Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Center, 1948-58 (History of the Navy at China Lake, California). Dept. of the Navy. p. 181. ISBN 9780945274568.
- ^ Babcock 1998, p.183
- ^ a b Babcock 1998, p.184
- ^ a b Babcock 1998, p.189
Bibliography
edit- Babcock, Elizabeth (2008). Magnificent Mavericks: transition of the Naval Ordnance Test Station from rocket station to research, development, test and evaluation center, 1948–58. History of the Navy at China Lake, California. Vol. 3. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. ISBN 978-0-945274-56-8. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- Parsch, Andreas (2004). "NOTS Ram". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2011-01-08.