The first FFARs were developed by the
U.S. Navy and introduced in June 1943. They had a 3.5-inch diameter and a non-explosive warhead, since they were used as an aircraft-launched anti-submarine warfare (ASW) rocket and worked by puncturing the hull. It was accurate enough for use against surface ships and land targets, but these missions required an explosive warhead. A five-inch anti-aircraft shell was attached to the 3.5-inch rocket motor, creating the five-inch FFAR, which entered service in December 1943. Performance was limited because of the increased weight, limiting speed to 780 km/h (485 mph). The
high-velocity aircraft rocket, or HVAR, was developed to fix this flaw. The FFAR was used by the
Douglas SBD Dauntless (dive bomber), the
Grumman TBF Avenger (torpedo bomber) and the
Vought F4U Corsair (carrier based fighter). == See also ==