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In military terminology, arocket is a self-propelled, unguided or guided,weapon-system powered by arocket engine. Though used primarily as medium- and long-rangeartillery systems, historically rockets have also seen considerable use as air-to-surface weapons, some use as air-to-air weapons, and even (in a few cases) as surface-to-air devices. Examples of modern surface-to-surface rocket systems include the SovietBM-27 Uragan and the American M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System.
In military parlance, a rocket differs from amissile primarily by lacking an active guidance system; early missiles became known as "guided rockets" or "guided missiles". Some rockets were developed as unguided systems and later upgraded to guided versions, like theGMLRS, and these generally retain the term "rocket" instead of becoming "missiles".[1]Rockets or missiles that travel underwater, like theVA-111 Shkval, are known as "torpedoes", whatever their propulsion system.
The use of rockets as some form ofartillery dates back tomedieval China where devices such as fire arrows were used (albeit mostly as a psychological weapon), and gradually spread to theMiddle East,Europe andSouth Asia. Rockets became a significant weapon during the 20th century when precise manufacturing processes made relatively accurate rockets possible.
In the late 18th century, iron-cased rockets were used by Kingdom of MysoreMysorean rockets and by Marathas during the mid 18th century, and were later modified and used by the British. The later models and improvements were known as theCongreve rocket and used in the Napoleonic Wars.
Rockets have been used as an artillery weapon for centuries, and continue to be used in the modern age after being extensively modernized inWorld War II. Rockets in the artillery role complement traditionalfield guns, being superior in some ways and inferior in others. Rocket artillery tends to be simpler, lighter and more mobile than guns or howitzers, most of which must beemplaced. Guns tend to have better accuracy, consistency, and range, while rocket artillery is light enough to be employed closer to the front lines and excels at saturation fire, expending its entire ammunition load in a singlebarrage on a target. Thesaturation fire produced by rocket artillery is only somewhat approximated in effectiveness with gun artillery via thetime on target barrage method.
Time-sensitivesoft target interdiction (such as personnel or unarmored vehicles moving in large groups) is where rocket artillery is particularly useful. This allows for theshoot-and-scoot method, avoiding the enemycounter-battery fire that is the greatest risk to emplaced artillery pieces, while maximizing damage to the target before it can find better cover. (seeRocket artillery vs gun artillery)
With the invention of thetank, theinfantry required a weapon to counter the threat. Tankarmour soon developed beyond the point at which ananti-tank rifle could practically be carried by an infantryman, and by theSecond World War rocket weapons such as theUSbazooka andGermanPanzerschreck were in service. Development continued after the war, with weapons such as theRPG-7, although a need to increase range led to the development ofguided weapons to fulfill the anti-tank role. Most modern armies now use guided missiles for long-range engagements and rockets for close-range or emergency use; disposable weapons such as theRPG-26 are popular for this.
The use of anti-tank weapons to attack buildings and other targets has led to the development of weapons andammunition designed specifically to attack non-tank targets, such as the one-shotLASM and the largerSMAW.
Unguided rockets are a widely used weapon-system and have been launched frommilitary aircraft to attack land, sea and air targets since 1916. French and British pilots usedLe Prieur rockets to attack Germanobservation balloons during theFirst World War.[2]
Even after the development of guided missiles, rockets remain useful for short-range attacks – typically forclose air support missions.
The standard NATO calibre is 70 mm and is considered[citation needed] the international calibre. The rockets can be fired from a variety of rotary and fixed-wing platforms and from combat aircraft of many nations worldwide by means of a rocket launcher. The 70 mm rocket system offers several warhead configurations that fulfill a wide range of special mission-requirements to defeat soft- to lightly-armored targets.
In mid-1916, French fighters were also equipped with a set of air-to-air rockets, also called rocket torpedoes, developed by naval Capitaine Yves Le Prieur. [...] The first operational use of Le Prieur anti-balloon rockets was a wholesale affair. In the spring of 1916, the command of the French IIe Armée in the Verdun sector, under Général Robert Nivelle, laid plans for a counterattack that would retake Fort Donaumont from the Germans. The assault was scheduled for 22 May [...].
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