Gimlet (rocket)
Encyclopedia
Gimlet was an unguided air-to-air
and air-to-surface rocket developed by the United States Navy
during the early 1950s. Although it proved successful in testing and was ordered into large-scale production, the arrival of the guided missile
as a practical and reliable weapon resulted in the cancellation of the Gimlet rocket in 1957.
. in addition, the 1.5-inch rocket was felt as the ideal calibre to 'fill in a gap' in the U.S. Navy's rocket inventory; studies indicated that aircraft could carry six times the number of 1.5-inch rockets as opposed to the then-in-service 2.75 inches (7 cm) Folding Fin Aerial Rocket
.
In 1952, however, the Bureau of Ordnance
decided that neither the 1.5-inch and 2.75-inch rocket were required; an earlier directive to develop a 2 inches (5.1 cm) rocket was still outstanding, and it was felt that standardising on a single caliber of rocket would be in the Navy's best interest. 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" – a name that, it was said, meant the rocket was to be a "small anti-MiG" weapon; "Gim" being "MiG" backwards, with an added dimunitive.
Gimlet was primarily intended for use in the air-to-air role. The rocket would utilise a modified version of the FFAR's fuse, reduced in size to fit the smaller rocket; 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. The rocket utilised a thin-walled aluminum body, also based on FFAR work; the motor utilised a eight-point star configuration to ensure even burning.
target drone, proving the rocket's effectiveness in the air-to-air role. Early launchers carried four rockets, while seven- and 19-round models were developed as well. A six-round clip capable of fitting the internal rocket bays of the F4D Skyray
interceptor was also developed.
Following a flyoff against the T-214 rocket, which indicated the necessity to modify the rocket motor to reduce the Gimlet's visual signature, the Navy directed the development of a modified, 'hybrid' rocket, using the T-214's tail; this became known as "T-Gimlet". The modified rocket was considered to be suitable for the Navy's purposes; both the original Gimlet and the T-Gimlet were ordered for production, a 5 million dollar USD contract being allotted to start production at the Shumaker Naval Ammunition Depot in Arkansas
.
Despite the seeming success, however, the Gimlet was already becoming obsolete; guided missile
s were now considered to be the wave of the future. Production of Gimlet was cancelled in early 1957, after production of 15,000 rockets; that October, the T-Gimlet version was cancelled as well. Although the missile age meant that Gimlet did not enter operational service, the production processes developed for the rocket would be modified and used in the production of the AIM-9 Sidewinder
air-to-air missile.
Air-to-air rocket
An air-to-air rocket or air interception rocket is an unguided projectile fired from aircraft to engage other flying targets. They were used briefly in World War I to engage enemy observation balloons and in and after World War II to engage enemy bombers...
and air-to-surface rocket developed by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the early 1950s. Although it proved successful in testing and was ordered into large-scale production, the arrival of the guided missile
Guided Missile
Guided Missile is a London based independent record label set up by Paul Kearney in 1994.Guided Missile has always focused on 'the underground', preferring to put out a steady flow of releases and developing the numerous GM events around London and beyond....
as a practical and reliable weapon resulted in the cancellation of the Gimlet rocket in 1957.
Design and development
The development of the Gimlet rocket begain in 1951, with the initiation of development of a 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) rocket for air-to-air use. Work on the rocket was conducted at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) at China Lake, California, and the project was begun at the behest of North American AviationNorth American Aviation
North American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service...
. in addition, the 1.5-inch rocket was felt as the ideal calibre to 'fill in a gap' in the U.S. Navy's rocket inventory; studies indicated that aircraft could carry six times the number of 1.5-inch rockets as opposed to the then-in-service 2.75 inches (7 cm) Folding Fin Aerial Rocket
Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket
The Mk 4 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket , sometimes called the Mighty Mouse, was a 2.75 in diameter unguided rocket weapon commonly used by U.S. military aircraft. It was intended as an air-to-air weapon to allow interceptor aircraft to shoot down enemy bombers with greater range and effectiveness than...
.
In 1952, however, the Bureau of Ordnance
Bureau of Ordnance
The Bureau of Ordnance was the U.S. Navy's organization responsible for the procurement, storage, and deployment of all naval ordnance, between the years 1862 and 1959.-History:...
decided that neither the 1.5-inch and 2.75-inch rocket were required; an earlier directive to develop a 2 inches (5.1 cm) rocket was still outstanding, and it was felt that standardising on a single caliber of rocket would be in the Navy's best interest. NOTS had initiated development of a rocket of the 2-inch caliber prior to the outbreak of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
; the concept had been shelved with the war effort requiring higher-priority projects such as the Ram
Ram (rocket)
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...
anti-tank rocket to be prioritized; now, however, the project was dusted off and development resumed under the name "Gimlet" – a name that, it was said, meant the rocket was to be a "small anti-MiG" weapon; "Gim" being "MiG" backwards, with an added dimunitive.
Gimlet was primarily intended for use in the air-to-air role. The rocket would utilise a modified version of the FFAR's fuse, reduced in size to fit the smaller rocket; 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. The rocket utilised a thin-walled aluminum body, also based on FFAR work; the motor utilised a eight-point star configuration to ensure even burning.
Operational history
Testing of the Gimlet begain in 1954. In the initial test, a FJ-2 Fury shot down a F6F HellcatF6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F resembled the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the "Wildcat's big...
target drone, proving the rocket's effectiveness in the air-to-air role. Early launchers carried four rockets, while seven- and 19-round models were developed as well. A six-round clip capable of fitting the internal rocket bays of the F4D Skyray
F4D Skyray
The Douglas F4D Skyray was an American carrier-based supersonic fighter/interceptor built by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
interceptor was also developed.
Following a flyoff against the T-214 rocket, which indicated the necessity to modify the rocket motor to reduce the Gimlet's visual signature, the Navy directed the development of a modified, 'hybrid' rocket, using the T-214's tail; this became known as "T-Gimlet". The modified rocket was considered to be suitable for the Navy's purposes; both the original Gimlet and the T-Gimlet were ordered for production, a 5 million dollar USD contract being allotted to start production at the Shumaker Naval Ammunition Depot in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
.
Despite the seeming success, however, the Gimlet was already becoming obsolete; guided missile
Guided Missile
Guided Missile is a London based independent record label set up by Paul Kearney in 1994.Guided Missile has always focused on 'the underground', preferring to put out a steady flow of releases and developing the numerous GM events around London and beyond....
s were now considered to be the wave of the future. Production of Gimlet was cancelled in early 1957, after production of 15,000 rockets; that October, the T-Gimlet version was cancelled as well. Although the missile age meant that Gimlet did not enter operational service, the production processes developed for the rocket would be modified and used in the production of the AIM-9 Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
air-to-air missile.