Vaccari RAPS
| Vaccari RAPS Razzo Aereo con Pinna Scorrevole Sliding Fin Aerial Rocket | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Unguided air-to-surface |
| Place of origin | Luminerra |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1947 - 1963 |
| Used by | Lumenic Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Vaccari |
| Variants | High-explosive fragmentation and high explosive antitank |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | See table |
| Length | Varies by model |
| Caliber | 81-mm warhead |
| Muzzle velocity | See table |
| Maximum firing range | 10 kilometers |
The Vaccari RAPS is an 81 mm air to surface rocket developed and produced by Vaccari of Luminerra. Its service life was limited, and was replaced in 1963 by the Notreceauen SNEB rocket pod. The SNEB was later replaced by the Vaccari Gorgon.
History and design
The RAPS rockets are mounted as a vertical array with only the top-most rocket attached to an aircraft hardpoint. In this system, rockets are fired individually from the bottom of the tier to the top. The unique sliding fixed fin arrangement of the RAPS acts as the forward hanger for the rocket below it. As the rocket is fired, the four fixed fins mounted on a ring slide down the body till they are stopped at the expansion area of the rocket motor nozzle and are locked in place. The RAPS increased its accuracy by the addition of flutes inside the nozzle rear to give a low rotation rate in addition to the stabilization effected by four fixed fins which take effect shortly after launch.
The 80-mm hollow-charge warhead on the RAPS has been demonstrated to penetrate 33 cm (13 in) of armor.
Warhead types
A variety of different warhead types are available for the RAPS, including:
- AE: High Explosive
- AFE: High Explosive Fragmentation
- IAPE: High Explosive - Incendiary
- AAPE: High-explosive anti-tank
- M: Marker
- PR: Practice
| RAPS rocket type | TR.015APE | TR-0151AFE | TR-0152AFE | TR.012AAPE | TR.PR81 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warhead weight | 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) | 7 kg (15 lb) | 11 kg (24 lb) | 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) | 7 kg (15 lb) |
| Explosive | 1 kg (2.2 lb) | 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) | 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) | 1 kg (2.2 lb) | none |
| Weight of propulsion unit | 8.7 kg (19 lb) | ||||
| Complete rocket | 13.2 kg (29 lb) | 15.7 kg (35 lb) | 19.7 kg (43 lb) | 13.2 kg (29 lb) | 15.7 kg (35 lb) |
| Velocity, m/s | 820 | 670 | 520 | 820 / 920 | 670 |
