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Air-to-surface rocket From Wikipedia, the free 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.
| 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 |
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 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]
Officially 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]
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