Mousetrap (weapon)
Mousetrap (anti-Submarine Projector, Marks 20 and 22) was an anti-submarine rocket launcher used mainly during World War II by the United States Navy[1] and Coast Guard.[2] Its development began in 1941 as a replacement for Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar. Those were spigot-launched, which placed considerable strain on the launching vessel's deck, whereas Mousetrap was rocket-propelled. As a result, Mousetrap's four or eight rails for 7.2-inch (183 mm) rockets saved weight and were easier to install.
The rockets weighed 65 pounds (29 kg) each, with a 33-pound (15 kg) Torpex warhead and contact pistol, exactly like Hedgehog.[citation needed]
By the end of the war, over 100 Mark 22 Mousetraps were mounted in U.S. Navy ships, including three each on 12 destroyers,[1] and submarine chasers (usually two sets of rails).[3]
Statistics
[edit]- Round weight: 65 lb (29 kg)
- Warhead: 33 lb (15 kg)
- Range: about 280 m (920 ft)
- Firing speed: one round every 3 seconds (maximum)
- No. of rails:
- Mark 20: 4
- Mark 22: 8
Citations
[edit]- ^ a b "Anti-Submarine Projector Mk 20 & 22 (Mousetrap)". The Pacific War: The U.S. Navy. Retrieved 12 December 2013 – via MicroWorks.
- ^ "CUYAHOGA, 1927 WIX / WMEC / WSC-157". United States Coast Guard. 13 March 2008. Archived from the original on 25 May 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
- ^ Priolo, Gary P. "Submarine Chaser SC-718". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
Bibliography
[edit]- Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. (1978). "Mousetrap". The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and Warfare. Vol. 18. London: Phoebus Publishing. pp. 1946–1947. OCLC 271437802.
External links
[edit]
- ASW Weapons of the United States of America at NavWeaps
- ASW Weapons of World War II of Russia / USSR at NavWeaps