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7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket

Field	Value
name	T37
image	T37 rocket.png
image_size	300px
origin	United States
type	Surface-to-surface rocket
is_missile	yes
used_by	United States Army, United States Navy
designer	Caltech
design_date	1943
production_date	1944–1945
weight	61 lb
length	35 in
diameter	7.2 in
filling	C2 explosive
filling_weight	32 lb
engine	Solid-fuel rocket
vehicle_range	Minimum: 300 yd
Maximum: 3400 yd
speed	110 mph
guidance	None

Maximum: 3400 yd

The 7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket, also known as the T37, was a 7.2 inch 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 the Physical Chemical Problems branch of the National Defense Research Committee, located at Caltech, in late 1943 as a modification of the existing 7.2 in ASW rocket (Mousetrap) for use against heavily fortified ground targets. Assigned to the United States Navy for development and production in July 1944, An additional high-explosive rocket, the T24, was planned, but was dropped in favor of the T37. The rockets utilized a standard 2.25 in rocket motor, fitted with a larger-diameter warhead; a longer-ranged version utilizing a 3.5 in motor was also produced.

Operational history

The T37 saw its first operational use during Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, in August 1944, fired from 120-round "Woofus" launchers mounted aboard Landing Craft Rocket vessels offshore.

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; it was quickly found unsatisfactory, and was replaced by 20-round (T40 "Whiz Bang") and 24-round ("Grand Slam") launchers mounted atop the tank's turret. The 20-round launcher could fire its entire loadout of rockets in approximately 10 seconds; however the tank installation was unpopular with crews, as the launcher prevented the tank's turret hatches from being opened.

References

Citations

Bibliography

References

"U.S. ROCKET, 7.2-IN, DEMOLITION, T37". Mine Action Information Center.
"Surface-Launched 7.2 inch Rockets".
von Braun, Ordway III and Dooling 1985, p.97.
(1947). "Hearings of the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments". United States House of Representatives.
(February 1944). "Ordnance School Text: Rockets and Launchers, All Types". Ordnance School, Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
"Rocket, Solid Fuel, H.E. (High Explosive), 7.2in.". Smithsonian Institution.
Parsch 2006
Baxter 1968, p.114.
Zaloga 2011, pp.35-36
Zaloga 2012, p.16.
(July 1945). "TM 5–220: Passage Of Obstacles Other Than Mine Fields". United States War Department.

Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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