Gimlet (rocket)

The Gimlet was a small, solid-propellant rocket developed in the late 1950s by the US Navy. Its primary purpose was as an unguided, air-to-air rocket intended for use by fighter aircraft against aerial targets, primarily bombers. The Gimlet was designed to be a lightweight and relatively inexpensive weapon system.

The rocket was typically deployed in salvos or clusters from pods mounted on the wings or fuselage of the aircraft. Once launched, the Gimlet followed a ballistic trajectory towards the target. Its effectiveness relied on the sheer volume of rockets fired to increase the probability of a hit.

While the Gimlet saw limited operational service, it served as a technological stepping stone in the development of more advanced air-to-air missile systems. It offered valuable experience in solid rocket motor technology, launcher design, and the tactics associated with unguided rocket engagements in aerial combat. The Gimlet program contributed to the knowledge base that would later be applied to more sophisticated guided missile programs within the US Navy.