M16 (rocket)

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	Weapon: M16 (rocket) Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1945 Overall Length (mm): 790.0 Overall Length (in): 31.1 Weight (kg): 19.00 Weight (pounds): 41.89

The M16 rocket was an improved version of the earlier M8 4.5-inch rocket developed by the United States during World War II. Designed for increased accuracy and reliability, the M16 retained the same basic dimensions and warhead compatibility as the M8 but featured enhanced propellant consistency and improved spin stabilization. Like its predecessor, the M16 was spin-stabilized and used solid-fuel propulsion, making it relatively simple and cost-effective to produce and deploy in large numbers.

The M16 was widely used in the late stages of World War II and continued into the early postwar years. It was typically launched from multiple rocket launcher systems such as the M16 "Whizbang"-a tank-mounted launcher used on Sherman chassis-or towed trailer mounts like the T66. Though never as precise as traditional artillery, the M16 offered rapid saturation fire, proving especially effective against enemy infantry positions, fortifications, and lightly armored vehicles. While exact production figures are difficult to determine, hundreds of thousands were manufactured and stockpiled during the conflict.

Known for its intense firepower and demoralizing psychological effect, the M16 rocket contributed significantly to the U.S. Army's growing use of rocket artillery. Its visual and auditory impact, especially when launched in large salvos, earned it a reputation among troops and adversaries alike. The M16 helped to cement the role of unguided rockets in mid-20th century warfare and served as a precursor to more advanced multiple launch rocket systems used in the Cold War and beyond.