330-PS-561 (USN 707907)       The Navy’s New Antitank Rocket – the “Ram”.  An F4U “Corsair” with the Navy’s aircraft rocket, the “Ram.” The “Ram”, an adaptation of the conventional 5-inch High Velocity Aircraft Rocket, and carrying a 6.5 shaped charge head, was developed by the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Inyokern, California, specifically for use against Russian tanks thrown into combat by the North Koreans.  Reports coming in from the combat zone confirm the new weapon’s capabilities for completely defeating these tanks.   The need for a weapon of this type became apparent immediately after the out-break of hostilities in Korea.  Conferences were held between the Air Force, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Navy Bureau of Ordnance, after which the Bureau undertook the development of a rocket which would be more effective against tanks, using preliminary designs previously drawn up by the Bureau.  The task was assigned to the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Inyokern, California, which completed the development, testing and manufacture in just twenty-two days.  Shipments of the new rockets were rushed to the war front from Inyokern by air, and they were made available to U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine pilots immediately.   The “Ram”, though specifically designed to be used against tanks, can be used also against other types of heavily armored vehicles and ships, as well as against concrete and earth fortifications.   Photograph released July 17, 1950.  (7/14/2015).
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