{{Infobox weapon | name = T37 | image = T37 rocket.png | image_size = 300px | caption = | origin = United States | type = Surface-to-surface rocket <!-- Type selection --> | is_missile = yes <!-- Service history --> | service = | used_by = United States Army, United States Navy <!-- Production history --> | designer = Caltech | design_date = 1943 | production_date = 1944–1945 | manufacturer = | number = <!-- General specifications --> | spec_label = | weight = {{convert|61|lb|kg|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|35|in|mm|abbr=on}} | part_length = | width = | height = | diameter = {{convert|7.2|in|mm|abbr=on}} | crew = | passengers = <!-- Explosive specifications --> | filling = C2 explosive<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ordatamines.maic.jmu.edu/displaydata.aspx?OrDataId=3538 |title=U.S. ROCKET, 7.2-IN, DEMOLITION, T37 |work=ORDATA Online |publisher=Mine Action Information Center |access-date=24 May 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715195628/http://ordatamines.maic.jmu.edu/displaydata.aspx?OrDataId=3538 |archive-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | filling_weight = {{convert|32|lb|kg|abbr=on}} | detonation = | yield = <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications --> | engine = Solid-fuel rocket | engine_power = | pw_ratio = | payload_capacity = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range =Minimum: {{convert|300|yd|m|abbr=on}}<br>Maximum: {{convert|3400|yd|m|abbr=on}} | speed = {{convert|110|mph|m/s|abbr=on}} | guidance = None | steering = <!-- Missiles only --> | wingspan = | propellant = | ceiling = | altitude = | depth = | boost = | accuracy = | launch_platform = | transport = }}
The '''7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket''', also known as the '''T37''', was a {{convert|7.2|inch|adj=on}} rocket developed and used by the United States military during World War II. Derived from the "Mousetrap" anti-submarine rocket, it was intended for use in demolishing concrete bunkers and fortifications, and saw use from August 1944.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surface-Launched 7.2 inch Rockets |url=https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/7inch.html |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=www.designation-systems.net}}</ref>
==Development== The 7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket was developed by the Physical Chemical Problems branch of the National Defense Research Committee, located at Caltech,<ref>von Braun, Ordway III and Dooling 1985, p.97.</ref> in late 1943 as a modification of the existing {{convert|7.2|in|mm|abbr=on}} ASW rocket (Mousetrap) for use against heavily fortified ground targets. Assigned to the United States Navy for development and production in July 1944,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wKw9EXwop-8C&q=%22T37%22+%22demolition+rocket%22|title=Hearings of the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments|year=1947|publisher=United States House of Representatives|page=117}}</ref> An additional high-explosive rocket, the '''T24''', was planned, but was dropped in favor of the T37.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ordnance School Text: Rockets and Launchers, All Types|url=http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/docrepository/Rocketspt3.pdf|date=February 1944|publisher=Ordnance School, Aberdeen Proving Grounds|location=Aberdeen, Maryland|page=93}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The rockets utilized a standard {{convert|2.25|in|adj=on}} rocket motor, fitted with a larger-diameter warhead; a longer-ranged version utilizing a {{convert|3.5|in|adj=on}} motor was also produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19890603000|title=Rocket, Solid Fuel, H.E. (High Explosive), 7.2in.|work=National Air and Space Museum|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|access-date=2012-02-29}}</ref>
==Operational history== The T37 saw its first operational use during Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, in August 1944,<ref name="Parsch">Parsch 2006</ref> fired from 120-round "Woofus" launchers mounted aboard Landing Craft Rocket vessels offshore.<ref>Baxter 1968, p.114.</ref>
The rocket was also intended to be fired from tanks for the clearing of bunkers and anti-tank obstacles. The initial launcher, dubbed "Cowcatcher", was mounted on the front of M4 Sherman tanks;<ref name="Zaloga">Zaloga 2011, pp.35-36</ref> it was quickly found unsatisfactory, and was replaced by 20-round (T40 "Whiz Bang")<ref>Zaloga 2012, p.16.</ref> and 24-round ("Grand Slam") launchers mounted atop the tank's turret.<ref name="Parsch"/><ref name="Zaloga"/> The 20-round launcher could fire its entire loadout of rockets in approximately 10 seconds;<ref>{{cite book|title=TM 5–220: Passage Of Obstacles Other Than Mine Fields|url=https://archive.org/details/TM5-220|quote=T37 demolition rocket.|series=War Department Technical Manual|date=July 1945|publisher=United States War Department|page=[https://archive.org/details/TM5-220/page/n11 50]}}</ref> however the tank installation was unpopular with crews, as the launcher prevented the tank's turret hatches from being opened.<ref name="Zaloga"/>
==References== ===Citations=== {{reflist}}
===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book|last=Baxter|first=James Phinney|title=Scientists Against Time|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pjwPAQAAMAAJ&q=%227.2+inch%22+%22demolition+rocket%22|year=1968|publisher=The MIT Press|location=Cambridge, Massachusetts|isbn=978-0-262-52012-6|page=114}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/7inch.html|title=Surface-Launched 7.2-Inch Rockets|last=Parsch|first=Andreas|year=2006|work=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles|publisher=Designation-Systems.net|access-date=2012-02-29}} * {{cite book|last=von Braun|first=Wernher|author-link=Wernher von Braun|author2=Frederick I. Ordway III|author3= Dave Dooling|title=Space Travel: A History : An Update of History of Rocketry & Space Travel|year=1985|publisher=Harper & Row|location=New York|isbn=978-0-06-181898-1}} * {{cite book|last=Zaloga|first=Stephen|title=Armored Attack 1944: U.S. Army Tank Combat in the European Theater from D-Day to the Battle of the Bulge|year=2011|publisher=Stackpole Books|location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania|isbn=978-0-8117-0769-5|pages=35–36}} * {{cite book|last=Zaloga|first=Stephen|title=US Marine Corps Tanks of World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I8XkMub7HmIC&dq=%227.2+inch%22+%22demolition+rocket%22&pg=PA16|series=New Vanguard|volume=186|year=2012|publisher=Osprey Publishing|location=New York|isbn=978-1-84908-560-1|page=16}} {{refend}}
{{USA WW2 rockets}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
Category:Rocket weapons of the United States Category:World War II weapons of the United States Category:California Institute of Technology Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1944