7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket
{{Infobox weapon
| name = T37
| image = T37 rocket.png
| image_size = 300px
| caption =
| origin = United States
| type = Surface-to-surface rocket
| is_missile = yes
| service =
| used_by = United States Army, United States Navy
| designer = Caltech
| design_date = 1943
| production_date = 1944–1945
| manufacturer =
| number =
| spec_label =
| weight = {{convert|61|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|35|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| part_length =
| width =
| height =
| diameter = {{convert|7.2|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| crew =
| passengers =
| filling = C2 explosive{{cite web |url=http://ordatamines.maic.jmu.edu/displaydata.aspx?OrDataId=3538 |title=U.S. ROCKET, 7.2-IN, DEMOLITION, T37 |work=ORDATA Online |publisher=Mine Action Information Center |access-date=24 May 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715195628/http://ordatamines.maic.jmu.edu/displaydata.aspx?OrDataId=3538 |archive-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
| filling_weight = {{convert|32|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| detonation =
| yield =
| engine = Solid-fuel rocket
| engine_power =
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| fuel_capacity =
| vehicle_range =Minimum: {{convert|300|yd|m|abbr=on}}
Maximum: {{convert|3400|yd|m|abbr=on}}
| speed = {{convert|110|mph|m/s|abbr=on}}
| guidance = None
| steering =
| wingspan =
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}}
The 7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket, also known as the T37, was a {{convert|7.2|inch|adj=on}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Surface-Launched 7.2 inch Rockets |url=https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/7inch.html |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=www.designation-systems.net}}
Development
The 7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket was developed by the Physical Chemical Problems branch of the National Defense Research Committee, located at Caltech,von Braun, Ordway III and Dooling 1985, p.97. in late 1943 as a modification of the existing {{convert|7.2|in|mm|abbr=on}} ASW rocket (Mousetrap) for use against heavily fortified ground targets. Assigned to the United States Navy for development and production in July 1944,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wKw9EXwop-8C&q=%22T37%22+%22demolition+rocket%22|title=Hearings of the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments|year=1947|publisher=United States House of Representatives|page=117}} An additional high-explosive rocket, the T24, was planned, but was dropped in favor of the T37.{{cite book|title=Ordnance School Text: Rockets and Launchers, All Types|url=http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/docrepository/Rocketspt3.pdf|date=February 1944|publisher=Ordnance School, Aberdeen Proving Grounds|location=Aberdeen, Maryland|page=93}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The rockets utilized a standard {{convert|2.25|in|adj=on}} rocket motor, fitted with a larger-diameter warhead; a longer-ranged version utilizing a {{convert|3.5|in|adj=on}} motor was also produced.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19890603000|title=Rocket, Solid Fuel, H.E. (High Explosive), 7.2in.|work=National Air and Space Museum|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|access-date=2012-02-29}}
Operational history
The T37 saw its first operational use during Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, in August 1944,Parsch 2006 fired from 120-round "Woofus" launchers mounted aboard Landing Craft Rocket vessels offshore.Baxter 1968, p.114.
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;Zaloga 2011, pp.35-36 it was quickly found unsatisfactory, and was replaced by 20-round (T40 "Whiz Bang")Zaloga 2012, p.16. 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;{{cite book|title=TM 5–220: Passage Of Obstacles Other Than Mine Fields|url=https://archive.org/details/TM5-220|quote=T37 demolition rocket.|series=War Department Technical Manual|date=July 1945|publisher=United States War Department|page=[https://archive.org/details/TM5-220/page/n11 50]}} however the tank installation was unpopular with crews, as the launcher prevented the tank's turret hatches from being opened.
References
=Citations=
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book|last=Baxter|first=James Phinney|title=Scientists Against Time|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pjwPAQAAMAAJ&q=%227.2+inch%22+%22demolition+rocket%22|year=1968|publisher=The MIT Press|location=Cambridge, Massachusetts|isbn=978-0-262-52012-6|page=114}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/7inch.html|title=Surface-Launched 7.2-Inch Rockets|last=Parsch|first=Andreas|year=2006|work=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles|publisher=Designation-Systems.net|access-date=2012-02-29}}
- {{cite book|last=von Braun|first=Wernher|author-link=Wernher von Braun|author2=Frederick I. Ordway III|author3= Dave Dooling|title=Space Travel: A History : An Update of History of Rocketry & Space Travel|year=1985|publisher=Harper & Row|location=New York|isbn=978-0-06-181898-1}}
- {{cite book|last=Zaloga|first=Stephen|title=Armored Attack 1944: U.S. Army Tank Combat in the European Theater from D-Day to the Battle of the Bulge|year=2011|publisher=Stackpole Books|location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania|isbn=978-0-8117-0769-5|pages=35–36}}
- {{cite book|last=Zaloga|first=Stephen|title=US Marine Corps Tanks of World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I8XkMub7HmIC&dq=%227.2+inch%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&pg=PA16|series=New Vanguard|volume=186|year=2012|publisher=Osprey Publishing|location=New York|isbn=978-1-84908-560-1|page=16}}
{{refend}}
{{USA WW2 rockets}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
Category:Rocket weapons of the United States
Category:World War II weapons of the United States