Description
This rocket is designed to erect lethal wires vertically over a ship in the path of low-level or dive-bombing aircraft. The wire is carried into the air by a rocket and is suspended by a parachute, which is carried in a container in the head of the rocket motor. A parachute on the lower end of the wire opens when a plane strikes the wire and offers sufficient resistance to throw the aircraft momentarily out of control or to cause it to break up. The apparatus remains' lethal until its lower parachute strikes the water, about 7 sec. after ejection of the upper parachute. It continues to act as a visible deterrent for an additional 5 sec., by which time the upper parachute has fallen to an ineffective height.
The rocket consists of a tube filled with rocket-propelling composition having a conical hole down the center. This hole is aligned with that in a choke in the after end of the tube. A length of quickmatch and a gunpowder burster charge are located in the forward end of the tube immediately below the parachute container. The parachute container holds the folded parachute and is closed at the forward end by a metal cap. The parachute is connected to the forward end of the rocket motor tube.
A steel bridle and a cable are attached to the motor tube. The cable is fitted with a loop for attachment to the main cable from the lower canister.
The lower canister consists of a cylindrical or rectangular box, which contains about 400 ft. of cable. To the lower end of the cable is attached a 38 inch drag parachute. The forward end of the cable is attached to the cable leading from the bridle on the rocket motor.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Source(s)
OP 1665, British Explosive Ordnance (1946)
