Zuni (rocket)

The Zuni is a 5-inch (127 mm) unguided rocket developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s. It was designed to be a more powerful air-to-ground rocket than the 2.75-inch (70 mm) Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR), commonly known as "Mighty Mouse." The Zuni rocket was intended to provide increased firepower against ground targets and enemy aircraft.

The rocket is modular in design, allowing for a variety of warheads to be fitted depending on the mission requirements. These warheads include high-explosive, fragmentation, and flechette types. This versatility made the Zuni a popular choice for a wide range of attack and support roles.

The Zuni rocket is typically launched from LAU-10 rocket pods, which can hold four rockets each. These pods can be mounted on a variety of fixed-wing aircraft, including fighter jets, attack aircraft, and some ground attack aircraft. Helicopters have also employed Zuni rockets.

The Zuni saw widespread use during the Vietnam War by US Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force aircraft. It proved to be an effective weapon against a variety of targets, including enemy troops, vehicles, and fortifications. It remained in service with the US military for many years after the Vietnam War and was also exported to a number of other countries. While largely superseded by more modern guided weapons, some stocks of Zuni rockets may remain in the arsenals of various nations.

A notable incident involving Zuni rockets was the fire aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal in 1967. A stray electrical surge ignited a Zuni rocket on an F-4 Phantom, leading to a chain reaction of explosions and a devastating fire that killed 134 sailors and caused extensive damage to the ship. This incident highlighted the safety risks associated with handling and storing unguided rockets.