RUR-4 Weapon Alpha

The RUR-4 "Weapon Alpha" (originally Weapon Able) was an American naval ahead-throwing antisubmarine warfare (ASW) rocket launcher. It was designed between 1946 and 1949 and was installed on warships from 1951 to 1969. Unlike depth charges, it was designed to attack enemy submarines without requiring the attacking ship to be located directly above the submarine being attacked.

"Weapon Alpha" redirects here. For the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name, see Guardian (Marvel Comics).
Weapon Alpha
USS Norfolk (DL-1) was one of the few ships outfitted with Weapon Alpha. Two of the four mounts can be seen side-by-side forward of the bridge.
Typestandoff anti-submarine rocket
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1951–1969
Used byUnited States Navy
Japan
Production history
DesignerNaval Ordnance Test Station
Designed1946–1949
Specifications (Mark 1)
Mass525 pounds (238 kg)
Length8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m)
Diameter12.75 inches (324 mm)
WarheadHigh explosive
Warhead weight250 pounds (110 kg)
Detonation
mechanism
Depth charge
Engine5.25 in (133 mm) rocket
PropellantSolid fuel
Operational
range
800 yards (730 m)
Maximum speed 190 miles per hour (310 km/h)
Launch
platform
Ships

Development

Similar to the earlier American Mousetrap, 375mm (14.8") Swedish Bofors, and 250mm (9.8") and 300mm (11.8") Soviet systems, all of which use multiple rockets, Weapon Alpha was developed toward the end of World War II, in response to the German Type XXI U-boat. Begun in a crash program in 1944–5 and put in service before undergoing operational evaluation, it emerged in 1949 as a 227-kg (500 lb) 127mm (5") rocket with a 113-kg (250 lb) warhead that sank at 12 m/s (40 ft/s) (compared to a depth charge, which sank at 2.7–5 m/s (8.9–16.5 ft/s)[1]), an influence or time pistol, and a range of 360–730 m (400–800 yd). Coupled to the new SQG-1 depth-finding sonar (for setting the time fuse, rather than the hydrostatic pistol of a depth charge), it was to be fired from a revolving Mark 108 launcher (with 22 rounds of ready ammunition) at up to twelve rounds per minute. The ready-service magazine could not be reloaded while Weapon Alpha was in use.

It was replaced by ASROC (RUR-5), which was developed by U.S. Navy in the 1950s. Nonetheless, Weapon Alpha remained in service through the 1960s until supplanted by ASROC.[2]

References
  1. Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. "Depth Charge", in Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus Publishing Co, 1978), Volume 7, p. 730.
  2. Friedman, Norman (May 1997). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997-1998. Annapolis, Maryland United States: United States Naval Institute Press. p. 668. ISBN 1-55750-268-4.

Sources
  • Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus Publishing Co, 1978), "Weapon Alpha", Volume 24, p. 2589.
  • Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus Publishing Co, 1978), "Mousetrap", Volume 19, pp. 1946-7.
  • Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus Publishing Co, 1978), "Depth Charge", Volume 7, p. 730.
  • Parsch, Andreas (2002). "NOTS RUR-4 Weapon Alpha". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  • DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com US ASW weapons page
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