Rocket (weapon)
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In military terminology, a rocket is a self-propelled, unguided or guided, weapon-system powered by a rocket engine. Though used primarily as medium- and long-range artillery systems, historically rockets have also seen considerable use as air-to-surface weapons, some use as air-to-air weapons, and even (in a few cases) as surface-to-air devices. Examples of modern surface-to-surface rocket systems include the Soviet BM-27 Uragan and the American M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System.
In military parlance, a rocket differs from a
Early development
The use of rockets as some form of
Basic roles
Artillery
Rockets have been used as an artillery weapon for centuries, and continue to be used in the modern age after being extensively modernized in
Time-sensitive soft target interdiction (such as personnel or unarmored vehicles moving in large groups) is where rocket artillery is particularly useful. This allows for the shoot-and-scoot method, avoiding the enemy counter-battery fire that is the greatest risk to emplaced artillery pieces, while maximizing damage to the target before it can find better cover. (see Rocket artillery vs gun artillery)
Portable anti-tank
With the invention of the
The use of anti-tank weapons to attack buildings and other targets has led to the development of weapons and
Air-launched
Unguided rockets are a widely used weapon-system and have been launched from
Even after the development of guided missiles, rockets remain useful for short-range attacks – typically for close air support missions.
The standard NATO calibre is 70 mm and is considered[citation needed] the international calibre. The rockets can be fired from a variety of rotary and fixed-wing platforms and from combat aircraft of many nations worldwide by means of a rocket launcher. The 70 mm rocket system offers several warhead configurations that fulfill a wide range of special mission-requirements to defeat soft- to lightly-armored targets.
See also
- Hydra 70
- CRV-7
- S-5 rocket
- S-8 rocket
- S-13 rocket
- Ugroza
- Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)
References
- ^ "GMLRS". British Army. 18 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^
Guttman, Jon (20 May 2013). Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1. Aircraft of the Aces, volume 66. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 9–12. ISBN 9781472803696. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
In mid-1916, French fighters were also equipped with a set of air-to-air rockets, also called rocket torpedoes, developed by naval Capitaine Yves Le Prieur. [...] The first operational use of Le Prieur anti-balloon rockets was a wholesale affair. In the spring of 1916, the command of the French IIe Armée in the Verdun sector , under Général Robert Nivelle, laid plans for a counterattack that would retake Fort Donaumont from the Germans. The assault was scheduled for 22 May [...].