Rocket, Air-to-Surface, 5-in., HVAR

cylindrical rocket, rusted, with 4 bent fins

The 5-inch caliber HVAR (High Velocity Aircraft Rocket), also called the Holy Moses, was a very effective U.S. Navy air-to-surface rocket. It began service in World War II and continued until 1955. Largely fired by Navy airplanes, such as the F4U Corsair, the HVAR was however first used by the Army Air Forces against German targets near Lo, France in July 1944. About a million HVARs were produced. The loaded weight of the rocket was 61 kg (134 lb )including 11 kg (24 lb) of propellant and a 20 kg (45 lb) payload with 3.5 kg (7.8 lb) of high explosive. It reached a velocity of 1530 km/h (950 mph), and had a range of about 5 km (3 mi).

The U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School at Indian Head, MD, transferred this rocket to the Smithsonian.