Rocket Warheads

Rocket Warheads

Different tactical requirements demand different types of rocket warheads be used with airborne rockets. Warheads are classified as either 2.75 inch or 5.0 inch warheads. They may be further classified as high explosive, flechette, smoke, flare, or practice. Warheads for 2.75-inch rockets are normally received with the fuzes installed. There are many different warheads, fuzes, and motor combinations available. Therefore, the following discussion is general. For specific component information, you should refer to Aircraft Rocket Systems 2.75-inch and 5.0-inch NAVAIR 11-75A-92. High-explosive warheads contain high-explosive material (generally comp-B) surrounded by a metal case. An internally threaded nose fuze cavity permits the installation of a nose fuze or an inert nose plug, depending on tactical requirements. Some warhead configurations require the use of a base fuze. Base fuzes are installed at the factory and should never be removed. High-explosive warheads are painted olive drab and may have a narrow yellow band around the nose. There are several types of high-explosive warheads, and each is designed for a specific type of target. HE-FRAG WARHEADS.—High-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warheads (fig. 2-6) are used against personnel and light material targets, such as trucks and parked aircraft. Upon detonation, a large quantity of metal fragments accelerates to a high velocity. This action damages the target. The types of HE-FRAG warheads currently in use are listed in table 2-1.

AT/APERS WARHEAD.—The high-explosive antitank/antipersonnel (AT/APERS) warhead (fig. 2-7) combines the effectiveness of the HE-FRAGand HEAT warheads. The explosive shaped-charge in the AT/ APERS warhead detonates at the aft end, producing the jet from the cone at the forward end. The booster in the aft end detonates the warhead by transmitting an explosive impulse along a length of detonating cord. It connects the booster charge to the initiating charge, which is next to the nose fuze. The combination of an instantaneous-acting nose fuze and rapid-burning detonating cord permits detonation of the explosive load in time for the shaped-charge to produce its explosive jet before being disintegrated upon target impact. The only AT/APERS warhead currently in use is the Mk 32 Mod 0.

GP WARHEAD.—The high-explosive, general purpose (GP) warhead (fig. 2-8) is a compromise between the armor-piercing and the fragmentation designs. The walls and nose section are not as strong as those of an armor-piercing warhead, yet they are stronger than those of a fragmentation warhead. The explosive charge is greater than that in the armor piercing warhead, but less than that in the fragmentation warhead.

The GP warhead is used against a variety of targets. Maximum penetration is obtained by using a solid nose plug and the delayed-action base fuze. Its maximum blast effect is obtained by using an instantaneous-acting nose fuze. The only GP warhead currently in use is the Mk 24 Mod 0.

FLECHETTE WARHEADS.—Flechette warheads (fig. 2-9) are used against personnel and light

armored targets. These warheads contain a large number of small arrow-shaped projectiles. A small explosive charge in the base fuze of the warhead dispenses the flechettes through the nose of the warhead after rocket motor burnout. Target damage is caused by impact of the high-velocity flechettes.

SMOKE WARHEADS.—Smoke warheads (fig. 2-10) are used to produce a volume of heavy smoke for target marking. The warhead contains a burster tube of explosives, usually comp-B, which bursts the walls of the warhead, dispersing the smoke. These warheads are designated SMOKE, followed by the abbreviation for the smoke producing agent it contains. For example, WP for white phosphorus, or PWP for plasticized white phosphorus. The types of smoke warheads currently in use are listed in table 2-1.

FLARE WARHEADS.—Flare warheads (fig. 2-11) are used to illuminate tactical operations. They consist of a delay-action fuze, an illuminating candle, and a parachute assembly. The fuze ignites the expelling charge, which separates the case from the candle and parachute assembly. The wind stream forces the parachute open, suspending the burning candle. The only flarewarhead currently in use is the Mk 33 Mod 1.

PRACTICE WARHEADS.—Practice warheads are either dummy configurations or inert-loaded service warheads. In the inert-loaded service warheads, the weight and placement of the filler gives the practice warhead the same ballistic characteristics as the explosive-loaded service warhead. A steel nose plug is assembled in the practice heads in place of the nose fuze. The entire surface, except for the stenciled marking, is painted blue. The practice warheads currently in use are listed in table 2-2.

2.75-Inch FFAR and LSFFAR

The 2.75-inch airborne rocket is an effective air-to-ground weapon against most targets. The FFAR is an air-to-air weapon. Fired in large numbers to produce a shotgun pattern, FFARs are carried and launched from 7- or 19-round launcher packages. These packages are described later in this chapter. The LSFFAR is accurately and safely launched from low-speed aircraft and helicopters. Because of their spin feature, they cannot be ripple fired. LSFFARs are fired singly from 7- or 19-round launchers that have single-fire capability. The 2.75-inch rockets are received through the supply system in three configurations as follows:

1. Complete rounds in 7- or 19-tube launchers, or in wooden boxes

2. Rocket motors in 7-tube launchers, and the fuze-warhead combination in separate shipping containers

3. Separate components in authorized shipping containers Squadron ordnancemen based ashore order and may assemble components for current operations. Aboard ship, weapons department ordnancemen assemble the components according to the ship's air and load plan. They deliver these assemblies to squadron ordnancemen for loading onto aircraft. For detailed information, such as authorized assemblies, safety precautions, and restrictions, you should refer to Aircraft Rocket Systems 2.75-inch and 5.0-inch NAVAIR 11-75A-92. You can find additional information in specific aircraft loading and tactical manuals.

5.0-Inch FFAR

Like the 2.75-inch rocket, the 5.0-inch FFAR can be assembled in various warhead and fuze combinations. The Mk 71 motor gives the additional advantage of one motor for all launch-speed applications. The 5.0-inch rocket is carried and launched from multiple-round launchers. Because of their large size and weight, the number of rounds per launcher is reduced to four. The 5.0-inch rockets are received through the supply system in the following two configurations:

1. Rocket motors in a 4-round launcher and fuzes and warheads in separate shipping containers

NOTE: The Mk 191, Mk 193, and Model 113A fuzes are permanently installed in the warheads.

2. Separate components in separate shipping containers