4.5-Inch Beach Barrage Rocket

"Old Faithful"
File:4.5-Inch Old Faithful.jpg 4.5-Inch BBR with Mk 9 motor
Type	Surface-to-surface rocket
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	United States Navy
Production history
Designer	Caltech
Designed	1942
Produced	1942–1945
Specifications
Mass	29 lb (13 kg)
Length	30 in (760 mm)
Diameter	4.5 in (110 mm)
Warhead	High explosive
Warhead weight	6.5 lb (2.9 kg)
Engine	Solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	1,100 yd (1.0 km)
Maximum speed	242 mph (389 km/h)
Guidance system	None

The 4.5-Inch Beach Barrage Rocket, also known as "Old Faithful", was a 4.5-inch (110 mm) rocket developed and used by the United States Navy during World War II. Originally developed from the "Mousetrap" anti-submarine rocket, it saw widespread use during the war, being replaced by more powerful rockets toward the end of the conflict.

Development

Developed during 1942 by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), under the direction of Charles Christian Lauritsen, in response to a requirement by the United States Navy for a rocket capable of being launched from landing craft to provide fire support during amphibious landings, the 4.5-Inch BBR was an improved version of the Mousetrap anti-submarine rocket system, using the Mousetrap's Mk 3 rocket motor mated to a 20-pound (9.1 kg) general purpose aerial bomb. An impact fuse was mounted in the nose of the rocket, with an annular fin assembly providing stability. A modified, larger version of the Beach Barrage Rocket, using the Mk 9 rocket motor, was also produced, being introduced into service in late 1944.

Operational history

First test fired on 24 June 1942, further tests in August proved sufficiently successful for the Navy Bureau of Ordnance to place an initial order for 3,000 Beach Barrage Rockets; the weapon was introduced into combat service that November, during the invasion of northern Africa. Fired from 12-round launchers and capable of being fitted with either the standard high explosive or a white phosphorus warhead, approximately 1,600,000 examples of the BBR were built; although the rocket proved inaccurate in service, it was widely used, and was highly regarded by members of the amphibious forces. The effect on the target of the Beach Barrage Rocket was described as being equivalent to that of a barrage from heavy mortars.

The 4.5-Inch BBR also saw use as an improvised ship-to-ship weapon, as well as being launched from ground-based launchers; it is credited with the first ship to be sunk by another purely by rocket attack, occurring near Ormoc in December 1944. Toward the end of the war, the Beach Barrage Rocket was replaced in service by the 5 in (130 mm) High Velocity Spinner Rocket.

References

Bibliography

• Fowler, William A. (1975). "Charles Christian Lauritsen", in Biographical Memoirs. National Academy of Sciences. .