5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket

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	Weapon: 5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket Type: Air-to-Ground Rocket Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1943 Overall Length (mm): 1650.0 Overall Length (in): 64.96 Weight (kg): 36.00 Weight (pounds): 79.37

The 5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket (FFAR) was developed by the United States during World War II as a heavier alternative to earlier unguided rockets used in air-to-ground roles. It evolved from the earlier 3.5-inch FFAR, sharing a similar purpose but offering significantly improved explosive payload and armor-piercing capability. Designed primarily for use against naval vessels, submarines, and hardened ground targets, the 5-Inch FFAR combined a larger warhead with relatively simple construction, making it effective and easy to mass-produce.

Introduced in the later stages of World War II, the 5-Inch FFAR saw action on various U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, including the F4U Corsair, SB2C Helldiver, and the TBF Avenger. Its versatility and raw explosive power made it a popular choice for carrier-based aircraft striking enemy shipping, submarines, and shore installations. The rocket was launched from underwing pylons and used solid-fuel propulsion, with a maximum range of approximately 5,000 yards, though its effective range in combat was closer to 1,500-2,000 yards.

While not as well-known as the later High Velocity Aircraft Rocket (HVAR), the 5-Inch FFAR laid important groundwork for postwar rocket development. Its relatively large diameter allowed it to carry a variety of warheads, including general-purpose high-explosive and anti-submarine types. Although phased out after the war in favor of more accurate and higher-speed munitions, the 5-Inch FFAR was an important part of the evolution of airborne rocket armament during the 1940s and helped establish the utility of air-launched unguided rockets in naval aviation.

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