Gimlet (rocket)
Gimlet | |
---|---|
Naval Ordnance Test Station | |
Produced | 1956–1957 |
No. built | 15,000 |
Specifications | |
Diameter | 2 inches (51 mm) |
Propellant | Solid fuel |
Guidance system | Unguided |
The Gimlet was an unguided
Design and development
The development of the Gimlet rocket began in 1951, with the initiation of development of a 1.5-inch (38 mm) rocket for air-to-air use.
In 1952, however, the Bureau of Ordnance decided that neither the 1.5-inch or 2.75-inch rocket was required; an earlier directive to develop a 2-inch (51 mm) rocket was still outstanding, and it was felt that standardizing on a single caliber of rocket would be in the Navy's best interest.[2] NOTS had initiated development of a rocket of the 2-inch caliber prior to the outbreak of the Korean War; the concept had been shelved with the war effort requiring higher-priority projects such as the Ram anti-tank rocket to be prioritized; now, however, the project was dusted off and development resumed under the name "Gimlet"[2] – a name that, it was said, meant the rocket was to be a "small anti-MiG" weapon; "Gim" being "MiG" backwards, with an added diminutive.[3]
Gimlet was primarily intended for use in the air-to-air role.[4] The rocket would use a modified version of the FFAR's fuse, reduced in size to fit the smaller rocket;[2] the warhead used for Gimlet took advantage of the latest advancements in explosives technology, and, combined with the advanced fuse, would detonate inside the target aircraft, instead of upon contact.[5] The rocket used a thin-walled aluminum body, also based on FFAR work;[2] the motor used an eight-point star configuration to ensure even burning.[6]
Operational history
Testing of the Gimlet began in 1954.
Following a flyoff against the
Despite the seeming success, however, the Gimlet was already becoming obsolete;
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Babcock, Elizabeth (2008). Magnificent Mavericks: transition of the Naval Ordnance Test Station from rocket station to research, development, test and evaluation center, 1948–58. History of the Navy at China Lake, California. Vol. 3. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. ISBN 978-0-945274-56-8. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- Carelone, Joseph (1993). Tactical Missile Warheads. Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics. Reston, VA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. ISBN 978-1-56347-067-7. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- Parsch, Andreas (2007). "(Other): Missile Scrapbook". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2011-01-11.