Hydra 70

[
AGM-114 Hellfire missile.]

The Hydra 70 rocket is a weapon derived from the 2.75 inch (70 mm) "Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket" (Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket) developed by the U.S. Navy for use as a free-flight aerial rocket in the late 1940s.

Overview

The Hydra 70 family of WAFAR (Wrap-Around Fin Aerial Rocket), based around the Mk 66 universal motor was developed from the previous 2.75 inch Mk 40 motor-based FFAR (Folding Fin Aerial Rocket). The Mk 40 was originally used during the Korean and Vietnam wars, beginning a rich history of providing close air support to ground forces from about 20 different firing platforms, both fixed-wing and armed helicopters, by all U.S. armed forces. Today, the OH-58D(R) Kiowa Warrior and AH-64D Apache Longbow carry the Hydra rocket launcher standard on its weapon pylons. To provide some stability the four rocket nozzles were scarfed at an angle to impart a slight spin to the rocket during flight.

Mk 66 rocket motor variants

Common warheads

NOTE: Some of the warheads described were designed for the older Mk 40 rocket motor, but most likely could work with the Mk 66 motor if upgraded or modernized models were not available.Fact|date=April 2008

Precision guided Hydra 70

The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II was a program to provide a laser guided missile which would have been compatible with the existing Hydra 70 systems in service. It was cancelled in February 2007. [ [http://www.asafm.army.mil/budget/fybm/fy08-09/rforms/vol2.pdf US Army R&D Budget Request 2008 (page 4)] ] Similar programs are the US Navy Low-Cost Guided Imaging Rocket, Lockheed Martin Direct Attack Guided Rocket and the ATK/Elbit Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket - Laser.

References

See also

* U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command
* List of rockets
* List of modern weapons
* CRV-7
* Zuni 5 in (127 mm)

External links

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* [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/04/hydra70-rockets-from-cutbacks-to-the-future-of-warfare/index.php Hydra-70 Rockets: From Cutbacks to the Future of Warfare]
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/275in-rockets.html Air-Launched 2.75-Inch Rockets - Designation Systems]
* [http://www.gdatp.com/products/weapon_systems/hydra/Hydra-70.htm Hydra-70 - General Dynamics]