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Mousetrap (anti-Submarine Projector, Marks 20 and 22) was an anti-submarine rocket launcher used mainly during World War II by the United States Navy and Coast Guard. Its development began in 1941 as a replacement for Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar. Those were spigot-launched, which placed considerable strain on the launching vessel's deck, whereas Mousetrap was rocket-propelled. As a result, Mousetrap's four or eight rails for 7.2-inch (183 mm) rockets saved weight and were easier to install.

The rockets weighed 65 pounds (29 kg) each, with a 33-pound (15 kg) Torpex warhead and contact pistol, exactly like Hedgehog.

By the end of the war, over 100 Mark 22 Mousetraps were mounted in U.S. Navy ships, including three each on 12 destroyers, and submarine chasers (usually two sets of rails).

Statistics

• Round weight: 65 lb (29 kg)
• Warhead: 33 lb (15 kg)
• Range: about 280 m (920 ft)
• Firing speed: one round every 3 seconds (maximum)
• No. of rails:
  • Mark 20: 4
  • Mark 22: 8

Citations

1. ^ "Anti-Submarine Projector Mk 20 & 22 (Mousetrap)". The Pacific War: The U.S. Navy. Retrieved 12 December 2013 – via MicroWorks.
2. "CUYAHOGA, 1927 WIX / WMEC / WSC-157". United States Coast Guard. 13 March 2008. Archived from the original on 25 May 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
3. Priolo, Gary P. "Submarine Chaser SC-718". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 3 November 2022.

Bibliography

• Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. (1978). "Mousetrap". The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and Warfare. Vol. 18. London: Phoebus Publishing. pp. 1946–1947. OCLC 271437802.

External links

• ASW Weapons of the United States of America at NavWeaps
• ASW Weapons of World War II of Russia / USSR at NavWeaps

• Anti-submarine missiles of the United States
• Explosive weapons
• Military equipment introduced from 1940 to 1944
• Naval weapons of the United States
• World War II naval weapons
• World War II weapons of the United States
• Anti-submarine rockets