NOTS Ram (6.5" Rocket MK 1)
After the start of the Korean War in 1950, the U.S. Navy had no suitable aircraft rocket for use against large tanks. The NOTS (Naval Ordnance Test Station) at China Lake thus developed a new 6.5-inch diameter shaped-charge anti-armour warhead for use with the existing Holy Moses 5-Inch HVAR (High Velocity Aircraft Rocket) in the record time of only 23 days. The result was the 6.5-Inch ATAR (Anti-Tank Aircraft Rocket), nicknamed Ram. Ram was formally designated the 6.5" Aircraft Rocket MK 1, with variants MOD 0 and MOD 1.
| Designation | Type | 5.0" Motor | 6.5" Head |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK 1 MOD 0 | HEAT | MK 2 MOD 0/.../4, MK 10 MOD 0/.../5 | MK 1 MOD 0 |
| MK 1 MOD 1 | HEAT | MK 2 MOD 3/4, MK 10 MOD 6 | MK 2 MOD 0/1 |
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 | |
| Photos: U.S. Navy (via G. Verver collection) | ||
| Ram | ||
The Ram was used with some success in Korea, but was withdrawn from service immediately after the end of the war. It was replaced by the MK 32 MOD 1 anti-tank version of the Holy Moses.
Specifications
No details of the physical characteristics of the Ram are available. However, dimensions and general performance were presumably similar to the Holy Moses 5-Inch HVAR.
Main Sources
[1] Norman Friedman: "US Naval Weapons", Conway Maritime Press, 1983
[2] Frederick I. Ordway III, Ronald C. Wakeford: "International Missile and Spacecraft Guide", McGraw-Hill, 1960
[3] Department of the Navy: "OP 1415: Rocket Assemblies, Complete Rounds and Components Data", 11 May 1955
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4
Last Updated: 9 December 2025