High Velocity Aircraft Rocket

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	Weapon: High Velocity Aircraft Rocket Type: Air-to-Ground Rocket Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1944 Overall Length (mm): 1730.0 Overall Length (in): 68.11 Weight (kg): 61.00 Weight (pounds): 134.48

The High Velocity Aircraft Rocket (HVAR), often nicknamed the "Holy Moses," was developed by the United States during World War II to address the limitations of earlier air-to-ground rockets such as the 3.5-Inch FFAR. Designed by Caltech's rocket program, the HVAR was a 5-inch unguided rocket that offered significantly improved speed, range, and penetration. Its high velocity was achieved through a more powerful motor and streamlined aerodynamics, allowing for better accuracy and effectiveness against a wide range of ground and naval targets. The rocket could be fitted with various warheads, including high-explosive and armor-piercing types.

Production of the HVAR began in 1944, and it quickly became the standard air-to-ground rocket for U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces aircraft. By the end of World War II, over 1,000,000 HVARs had been manufactured. The rocket was fired from wing-mounted launch rails and used extensively by aircraft such as the F6F Hellcat, F4U Corsair, P-47 Thunderbolt, and later jets like the F-80 Shooting Star. It was also employed in Korea, where it continued to prove effective against tanks, trains, bunkers, and other hardened targets.

The HVAR gained notoriety for its versatility and destructive power, becoming a crucial component of Allied tactical airpower in the closing stages of WWII and into the early Cold War era. Pilots favored it for its reliability and the psychological effect it had on enemy troops. Despite being an unguided weapon, its high speed and stability gave it a relatively high hit probability when used in trained hands. The HVAR marked a key transition in aerial munitions, bridging the gap between early rockets and the later guided missile systems.

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