OVERALL LENGTH

DIAMETER

TOTAL WEIGHT

PROPELLANT

PROPELLANT WEIGHT

CHARGE IGNITER

SEPARATING CHARGE

MINE WIRE

BOMB

BOMB WEIGHT

EXPLOSIVE

EXPLOSIVE WEIGHT

8 oz.

USE:

This rocket is fired as a barrage employed to lay a curtain of serial mines in the path of low-level or dive-bombing aircraft attacking a ship.

DESCRIPTION:

The tail of the rocket consists of a center tube containing the propellant charge, the gases from which emerge through the venturi to propel the projectile. The propul-sive force continues for about 1-1/2 seconds. Around the center tube is fitted a fairing to which are attached tail fins protected by a cylindrical shroud. The electric igniter leads pass through the tail fins and enter the center body of the rocket to the electric igniter. Connected in parallel to the igniter is an electrically fired time fuze which burns through to ignite the separating charge. The separating charge is fired after about 10 seconds flight time and ejects the contents of the rocket head, which consists of the bomb, the mine wire, and the parachute.

OPERATION:

When the separating charge is ignited, the outer container is ejected forward from the outer case by the pressure of the exploding charge against the pressure plate. As soon as the outer container is clear of the outer case, the pressure plate and the lid fall clear, thelid acting as a pilot parachute to withdraw the main parachute from the container. The main parachute opens, and since it is connected by a spring shock ab-sorber to the immer container, it pulls the latter clear of the outer container, which continues its falling flight, paying out the coiled mine wire inside it as it falls. Also atta-ched to the outer container is a cord, which pulls out the arming wire of the bomb as the two container separate. This cord subsequently breaks away to clear the wire which is being paid out. The upper end of the mine wire is attached to the bomb and jerks it clear of its retaining spring clip in the inner container. The bomb is then suspen-ded from the shock absorber by a length of light cord, termed the 'weak link'. This cord is secured to the shock absorber at one end and at the other to a length of heavy cord leading from the bomb to the 7-1/2 inch parachute carried in the inner container. The heavy cord is thus slack between the knot and the parachute. When all the mine wire has been paid out, the bottom bundle, containing the 30 inch parachute, is withdrawn from the outer container. The canvas bands which protect the bundle on its way out of the container are then pulled clear by the release cord, and the bottom bundle is left hanging from the wire. This state is accomplished about eight seconds after separation of the outer container from the rocket.

When the mine wire is struck by an aircraft, the weak link between the bomb and the shock absorber breaks, and the 7-1/2 inch parachute is pulled clear of the inner container and springs open. The tautening of the wire also rips the bag of the bottom bundle, and the bottom 30 inch parachute opens. As the aircraft pushes the wire along, the bottom parachute acts as a drogue and drags the wire across the aircraft, pulling the mine down into contact with it.

BOMB, NO. 2 MK I:

The bomb consists of a light sheet steel case filled with explosvie and containing a striker, detonator, and self-destroying assembly. When the arming pin is withdrawn, the detonator is forced by its spring into alignment with the striker, and a length of safety fuse is ignited by a cap. When the bomb strikes the aircraft, the firing pin is forced in and fires the detonator, exploding the bomb instantaneously. If the wire is not struck by the aircraft the safety fuse will burn through and detonate the bomb after about 95 seconds. Thus the bomb is self-destructive after about 1250 feet of all.

REMARKS:

(1) The round should not be subjected to temperatures in excess of 110° F.