Mousetrap (weapon)

4-missile launcher "anti-submarine projector Mark 20"

Mousetrap (ASW Marks 20 and 22) was an anti-submarine rocket used mainly during the Second World War by the U.S. Navy^[1] and the U.S. Coast Guard.^[2] Its development was begun in 1941 as a replacement for Hedgehog, a British-made projector, which was the first ahead-throwing ASW weapon. These, however, were spigot-launched, placing considerable strain on the launching vessel's deck, whereas Mousetrap was rocket-propelled. As a result, Mousetrap's four or eight rails for 7.2-inch (183 mm) rockets saved weight and were easier to install.

The rockets weighed 65 pounds (29 kg) each, with a 33-pound (15 kg) Torpex warhead and contact pistol, exactly like Hedgehog.

By the end of the war, over 100 Mousetrap Mark 22s were mounted in U.S. Navy ships, including three each on 12 destroyers,^[1] and submarine chasers (usually two sets of rails).^[3]

Statistics

Round weight: 65 lb (29 kg)
Warhead: 33 lb (15 kg)
Range: about 280 m
Firing speed: one round every 3 seconds (maximum)
No. of rails:
- Mark 20: 4
- Mark 22: 8

References

Citations

1 2 "Anti-Submarine Projector Mk 20 & 22 (Mousetrap)". Microworks.net. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
↑ "CUYAHOGA, 1927". US Coast Guard. November 2001. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
↑ "Submarine Chaser SC-718". NavSource Naval History.

Bibliography

Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. (1978). "Mousetrap". The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and Warfare. 18. London: Phoebus Publishing. pp. 1946–7. OCLC 271437802.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mousetrap anti-submarine rocket.

World War II rockets of the United States

Air-to-ground rockets	2.25" SCAR 3.5" FFAR 4.5" M8 4.5" T22 5" FFAR 5" HVAR 7.2" Retrorocket 11.75" Tiny Tim

Surface-to-surface rockets	2.36" Bazooka 3.5" GPSR 4.5" M8 4.5" M16 4.5" Old Faithful 5" HVSR 7.2" Mousetrap 7.2" Demolition Rocket

Training rockets	3.25" M2

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By platform	Air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) Air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) Air-to-air missile (AAM) Air-to-surface missile (ASM) Ballistic missile Cruise missile Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) Shoulder-fired missile Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) Surface-to-air missile (SAM) Surface-to-surface missile (SSM)

By target type	Anti-ballistic missile (ABM) Anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) Anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) Anti-ship missile (AShM) Anti-submarine missile Anti-tank missile (ATGM) Land-attack missile (LACM)

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See also: Sounding rocket

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