5-inch rockets

Also known as

5 inch rockets
HVAR
Holy Moses
Zuni
Zuni 5-inch FFAR

The 5-inch rockets family covers U.S. air-to-surface rockets from the World War II HVAR, also called Holy Moses, through the later Zuni 5-inch FFAR. Smithsonian sources describe the HVAR as an effective Navy weapon that remained operational until 1955, while the Zuni entered service around 1958 with folding fins and continued in use into the 1980s. AV-8B inventory documentation still lists 5-inch rockets among the Harrier's air-to-ground stores.

5-inch rockets, Unguided 5-inch rocket family, Munitions

Image source: NASM HVAR cutaway page

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Hunter-Douglas Div., Bridgeport Brass Co.
Type: Unguided 5-inch rocket family
Service note: World War II to the 1980s
Unit cost: About $400 each for the Zuni, per Smithsonian's object record

air-launched air-to-surface close air support fixed-wing rocket strike unguided

Specifications

Caliber: 5 inches (127 mm)
Guidance: Unguided free-flight rocket
Launch: Aircraft-mounted launchers and pods
Lineage: HVAR/Holy Moses to Zuni 5-inch FFAR
Warheads: High explosive, high-explosive anti-tank, and practice variants

Carrier Aircraft

The AV-8B Harrier II fact file lists 5-inch rockets among the aircraft's air-to-ground stores.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

AV-8B Harrier II, Vertical/short takeoff and landing attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

AV-8B Harrier II

V/STOL attack aircraft

The Navy AV-8B fact file lists 5-inch rockets among the Harrier's air-to-ground stores.

Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: The HVAR began service in World War II and remained operational until 1955; the Zuni entered service around 1958 and stayed in use into the 1980s.

Media

5-inch rockets Images

5-inch rockets, Unguided 5-inch rocket family, Munitions - view 1 — Source: NASM HVAR cutaway page

5-inch rockets, Unguided 5-inch rocket family, Munitions - view 2 — Source: NASM HVAR cutaway page

5-inch rockets, Unguided 5-inch rocket family, Munitions - view 3 — Source: NASM HVAR cutaway page

5-inch rockets, Unguided 5-inch rocket family, Munitions - view 4 — Source: NASM HVAR cutaway page

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Sources

NASM HVAR cutaway pagePublisher: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | Note: Supports the 5-inch HVAR/Holy Moses designation, World War II service through 1955, launch weight, speed, maximum range, and image provenance for the HVAR cutaway gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 NASM Zuni object pagePublisher: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | Note: Supports the Zuni 5-inch FFAR designation, the Hunter-Douglas Div., Bridgeport Brass Co. manufacturer, the about-$400 unit cost, fin deployment, service into the 1980s, and image provenance for the Zuni gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 NHHC Appendix 21 Naval Aviation Drones and MissilesPublisher: Naval History and Heritage Command | Note: Supports the 5-inch rocket family context and the HVAR/Holy Moses to Zuni lineage. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact FilePublisher: Naval History and Heritage Command | Note: Supports the AV-8B Harrier II air-to-ground stores list that includes 5-inch rockets. | Accessed: 2026-06-27