| T37 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Surface-to-surface rocket |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States Army, United States Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Caltech |
| Designed | 1943 |
| Produced | 1944–1945 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 61 lb (28 kg) |
| Length | 35 in (890 mm) |
| Diameter | 7.2 in (180 mm) |
| Warhead | C2 explosive[1] |
| Warhead weight | 32 lb (15 kg) |
|
| |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 300 yd (0.27 km) |
| Maximum speed | 110 mph (180 km/h) |
Guidance system | None |
The 7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket, also known as the T37, was a 7.2-inch (180 mm) rocket developed and used by the United States military during World War II. Derived from the "Mousetrap" anti-submarine rocket, it was intended for use in demolishing concrete bunkers and fortifications, and saw use from August 1944.
Development[]
The 7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket was developed by Section L of the National Defense Research Committee, located at Caltech,[2] in late 1943 as a modification of the existing "mousetrap" (7.2-Inch ASW Rocket) rocket for use against heavily fortified ground targets. Assigned to the United States Navy for development and production in July 1944,[3] two versions of the rocket were produced; the T37 HE Demolition Rocket and the T21 Chemical Warfare Rocket.[4] An additional high-explosive rocket, the T24, was planned, but was dropped in favor of the T37.[5] The rockets utilized a standard 2.25-inch (57 mm) rocket motor, fitted with a larger-diameter warhead; a longer-ranged version utilizing a 3.5-inch (89 mm) motor was also produced.[6]
Operational history[]
The T37 saw its first operational use during Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, in August 1944,[7] fired from 120-round "Woofus" launchers mounted aboard Landing Craft Rocket vessels offshore.[8]
The rocket was also intended to be fired from tanks for the clearing of bunkers and anti-tank obstacles. The initial launcher, dubbed "Cowcatcher", was mounted on the front of M4 Sherman tanks;[9] it was quickly found unsatisfactory, and was replaced by 20-round (T40 "Whiz Bang")[10] and 24-round ("Grand Slam") launchers mounted atop the tank's turret.[7][9] The 20-round launcher could fire its entire loadout of rockets in approximately 10 seconds;[11] however the tank installation was unpopular with crews, as the launcher prevented the tank's turret hatches from being opened.[9]
References[]
- Citations
- ↑ "U.S. ROCKET, 7.2-IN, DEMOLITION, T37". ORDATA Online. Mine Action Information Center. http://ordatamines.maic.jmu.edu/displaydata.aspx?OrDataId=3538. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ↑ von Braun, Ordway III and Dooling 1985, p.97.
- ↑ Hearings of the Committee on Expenditures in the Execuitive Departments. United States House of Representatives. 1947. p. 117. http://books.google.com/books?id=wKw9EXwop-8C&q=%22T37%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&dq=%22T37%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2mFOT53COcO2twf-38SkCA&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAQ.
- ↑ 7.2-Inch Multiple Rocket Launcher M17. Technical Manual. TM9-296. Washington, D.C.: War Department. 9 January 1945. pp. 26–27. http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/TM/pdfs/TM9-296.pdf.
- ↑ Ordnance School Text: Rockets and Launchers, All Types. Aberdeen, Maryland: Ordnance School, Aberdeen Proving Grounds. February 1944. p. 93. http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/docrepository/Rocketspt3.pdf.
- ↑ "Rocket, Solid Fuel, H.E. (High Explosive), 7.2in.". National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian Institution. http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19890603000. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Parsch 2006
- ↑ Baxter 1968, p.114.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Zaloga 2011, pp.35-36
- ↑ Zaloga 2012, p.16.
- ↑ TM 5–220: Passage Of Obstacles Other Than Mine Fields. War Department Technical Manual. United States War Department. July 1945. p. 50. http://books.google.com/books?id=luEsAAAAIAAJ&q=%22T37%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&dq=%22T37%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2mFOT53COcO2twf-38SkCA&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAA.
- Bibliography
- Baxter, James Phinney (1968). Scientists Against Time. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-262-52012-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=pjwPAQAAMAAJ&q=%227.2+inch%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&dq=%227.2+inch%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KWNOT-3LI5STtwe-_IClCA&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAQ.
- Parsch, Andreas (2006). "Surface-Launched 7.2-Inch Rockets". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles. Designation-Systems.net. http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/7inch.html. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
- von Braun, Wernher; Frederick I. Ordway III and Dave Dooling (1985). Space Travel: A History : An Update of History of Rocketry & Space Travel. New York: Harper & Row. ISBN 978-0-06-181898-1.
- Zaloga, Stephen (2011). Armored Attack 1944: U.S. Army Tank Combat in the European Theater from D-Day to the Battle of the Bulge. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. pp. 35–36. ISBN 978-0-8117-0769-5.
- Zaloga, Stephen (2012). US Marine Corps Tanks of World War II. New Vanguard. 186. New York: Osprey Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-84908-560-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=I8XkMub7HmIC&pg=PA16&dq=%227.2+inch%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KWNOT-3LI5STtwe-_IClCA&ved=0CE8Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=%227.2%20inch%22%20%22demolition%20rocket%22&f=false.
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The original article can be found at 7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket and the edit history here.