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
Type	Air-to-surface rocket
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	United States military
Production history
Produced	1943-1945
Specifications (5-inch FFAR)
Mass	80 pounds (36 kg)
Length	5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)
Diameter	Warhead: 5 inches (130 mm) Motor: 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Warhead	High explosive
Warhead weight	45 pounds (20 kg)
Engine	Solid-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

• RP-3
• 3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket
• 2.75 inch FFAR
• Zuni rocket
• List of rockets

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links