Weapon Alpha

Weapon Alpha
USS Norfolk (DL-1) was one of the few ships outfitted with Weapon Alpha. Two of the four mounts can be seen side-by-side forward of the bridge.
Type	standoff anti-submarine rocket
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1951–1969
Used by	United States Navy  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Production history
Designer	Naval Ordnance Test Station
Designed	1946–1950
Specifications (Mark 1)
Weight	525 pounds (238 kg)
Length	8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m)
Diameter	12.75 inches (324 mm)
Warhead	High explosive
Warhead weight	250 pounds (110 kg)
Detonation mechanism	Depth charge
Engine	5.25 in (133 mm) rocket
Propellant	Solid fuel
Operational range	800 yards (730 m)
Speed	190 miles per hour (310 km/h)

The RUR-4 "Weapon Alpha" (originally Weapon Able) was an American naval ahead-throwing ASW rocket launcher. It was designed between 1946 and 1950 and was installed on warships from 1951 to 1969. It was designed to attack enemy submarines without requiring the attacking ship to be located directly above the submarine being attacked.

Similar to the earlier American Mousetrap, 375mm (14.8") Swedish Bofors, and 250mm (9.8") and 300mm (11.8") Soviet systems, all of which use multiple rockets, Weapon Alpha was developed toward the end of World War II, in response to the German Type XXI U-boat. Begun in a crash program in 1944–5 and put in service before undergoing operational evaluation, it emerged in 1950 as a 227-kg (500 lb) 127mm (5") rocket with a 113-kg (250 lb) warhead that sank at 12 m/s (40 ft/s) (compared to a depth charge, which sank at 2.7–5 m/s (8.9–16.5 ft/s)), an influence or time pistol, and a range of 360–730 m (400–800 yd). Coupled to the new SQG-1 depth-finding sonar (for setting the time fuse, rather than the hydrostatic pistol of a depth charge), it was to be fired from a revolving Mark 108 launcher (with 22 rounds of ready ammunition) at up to twelve rounds per minute. The ready-service magazine could not be reloaded while Weapon Alpha was in use.

It was replaced by ASROC (RUR-5), which was developed by U.S. Navy in the 1950s. Nonetheless, Weapon Alpha remained in service through the 1960s until supplanted by ASROC.

A dismounted Mk 108 launcher at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.