3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket

3.5-inch forward firing aircraft rocket, 3.5" FFAR
3.5-inch FFARs being mounted underwing on a Grumman TBF Avenger
TypeAnti-submarine rocket
Place of originUS
Service history
Used byUnited States Navy
Production history
Produced1943–1944
Specifications (3.5-inch FFAR)
Mass54 pounds (24 kg)
Length4 feet 7 inches (1.40 m) total = 45 inches (1,100 mm) motor length + 10 inches (250 mm) steel warhead length
DiameterMotor 3.25 inches (83 mm), solid steel warhead 3.5 inches (89 mm)
WarheadNone

EngineCaltech solid-fuel rocket
2,300 lbf (10.4 kN)
Operational
range
1,500 yards (1,400 m) nominal firing range
Maximum speed 1,045 miles per hour (1,682 km/h) = 1,180 feet per second (360 m/s) rocket delta V plus + 240 miles per hour (390 km/h) approx. aircraft speed
Guidance
system
None

The 3.5-inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket, or 3.5-Inch FFAR, was an American rocket developed during World War II to allow aircraft to attack enemy submarines at range. The rocket proved an operational success, and spawned several improved versions for use against surface and land targets.