| Ram | |
|---|---|
RAM (lower) and HVAR rockets mounted on a F4U Corsair |
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| Type | Air-to-surface rocket |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950–54 |
| Used by | United States Navy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Naval Ordnance Test Station |
| Produced | 1944–55 |
| Specifications | |
| Diameter | 6.5 inches (170 mm) |
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| Warhead | High explosive |
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| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
| Operational range |
3 miles (4.8 km) |
| Guidance system |
None |
The Ram, also known as the 6.5-Inch Anti-Tank Aircraft Rocket or ATAR, was an air-to-ground rocket used by the United States Navy during the Korean War. Developed rapidly, the rocket proved successful but was phased out shortly after the end of the conflict.
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In 1950, the outbreak of the Korean War resulted in the United States Navy urgently requiring an aircraft-launched rocket that would be effective against enemy tanks,[1] as the existing "Holy Moses" high-velocity aircraft rocket was expected to be ineffective against the armor of JS-3 heavy tanks.[2]
The development of an improved rocket was undertaken with remarkable speed; a directive to start work on the project was issued on July 6, 1950, and the first rockets were delivered to the war zone on July 29.[3] Over the course of those 23 days, the Naval Ordnance Test Station, located in China Lake, California, developed an improved version of the HVAR, with a new, 6.5-inch (170 mm) shaped-charge warhead replacing the earlier weapon's 5-inch (130 mm) charge.[1] The fuse for the shaped charge, developed with the same haste as the rocket itself, was considered dangerous, but proved to be safe enough in service; it was described as being "[not] as dangerous as the Russian tanks" it was designed to destroy.[4]
The RAM was the first aircraft rocket to carry a shaped charge warhead,[3] and was described as being superior in armour penetration to the conventional bazooka's warhead,[3] being capable of penetrating up to 24 inches (610 mm) of armor plate.[5]
Officially designated the 6.5-Inch Anti-Tank Aircraft Rocket, and commonly known in service as "Ram", the new rocket was rushed to the Korean front,[1] being used in combat for the first time on August 16, 1950.[3] Despite the haste with which the weapon had been developed, the very first shipment included a full set of documentation and firing tables for the use of the rocket.[6] The first 600 rockets were constructed by hand,[2] but a production line was rapidly set up.[3]
In operational service, the Ram was fitted to the F-51 Mustang, F-80 Shooting Star and F4U Corsair aircraft,[7] and it proved to be moderately effective,[1] with the first 150 rockets fired scoring "at least" eight confirmed kills of North Korean tanks.[7] However, the rocket proved to be unpopular with pilots, due to the close approach to the target required for accurate firing; the HVAR offered a longer range, while napalm was considered more effective if the range had to be closed.[8] With the end of the war in 1953, the ATAR was withdrawn from service,[8] improved versions of the HVAR having become available as an alternative.[1]
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