ADR-8

ADR-8A
TypeChaff rocket
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used byUnited States Air Force
Production history
DesignerTracor
Designedearly 1960s
ManufacturerRevere Copper and Brass
Specifications
Length5 feet (1.5 m)
Diameter2.75 inches (70 mm)
WarheadChaff
PropellantSolid fuel
Guidance
system
None
Launch
platform
B-52 Stratofortress

The ADR-8 was an unguided electronic countermeasures rocket developed by Tracor for use by the United States Air Force. It was used to dispense chaff from Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers.

Development

Originally given the designation RCU-2, the ADR-8 was developed for use by the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber, to give the aircraft a means of dispensing chaff to disrupt enemy radar.[1] Developed by Tracor under a Quick Reaction Contract, the ADR-8 was a folding fin rocket of 2.75 in (70 mm) diameter. Following successful testing, production of the rocket was undertaken by Revere Copper and Brass.[1]

Operational use

The rockets were fired from 20-shot AN/ALE-25 rocket pods mounted on pylons under the wings of the B-52s. The pods were 13 feet (4.0 m) long and weighed 1,100 pounds (500 kg); the rockets could be fired manually or automatically upon detection of a threat. They were installed on the final 18 B-52H aircraft constructed; earlier B-52Gs and B-52Hs were retrofitted with the system.[2]

The ADR-8 and AN/ALE-25 were retired in September 1970,[1] replaced by the "Phase VI" electronic warfare suite.[2]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c Parsch 2005
  2. ^ a b Dorr and Peacock 2000, p.52.

Bibliography

  • Dorr, Robert F.; Peacock, Lindsay T. (2000). B-52 Stratofortress: Boeing's Cold War Warrior. Oxford, England, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1841760971.
  • Parsch, Andreas (2005). "Revere (Tracor) RCU-2/ADR-8". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2014-05-11.