Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher
Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021
1. U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher Marker
Inscription.
U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher. . Introduced in 1953, the M21 was the Army's first new multiple rocket launcher since the end of World War II. It was also the last multiple rocket launcher in the Army until the introduction of the Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MLRS) in 1983. Originally designated as the T-123, this new 4.5-inch Multiple Rocket Launcher had 25 tubes, which were muzzle-loaded and electronically fired in a preset sequence. The rate of fire is limited only by the operators' speed in working the firing mechanism. The launcher was sighted by an elbow telescope for direct and indirect fire. The rocket launcher is used to launch smoke or high-explosive projectiles against ground targets. The launcher was used for area targets where the dispersion of rockets was desirable. The range was dependent on the type of rocket used and the maximum elevation allowed for that particular type of rocket. In normal use, one to three salvos would be fired and then the launcher would be transported to a new site. The launcher was normally towed by a jeep with a 2 ˝ ton truck carrying the ammunition. The M21 was last fired by the Marine Corps at Fort Sill in 1979 to test new radar equipment., Caliber - 4.5 in. - 113 mm , Weight - 3,366 lbs. - 1,530 kg , Range - 5,000 yds. - 4,572 m , Shell Weight - 38 lbs. - 17.2 kg , Elevation - (0 to + 75 degrees) - (0 to +1,333 mils) , Traverse - 7 degrees - 121 mils , Rate of Fire - 25 rockets in 2.5 seconds , CCN# 112550
Introduced in 1953, the M21 was the Army's first new multiple rocket launcher since the end of World War II. It was also the last multiple rocket launcher in the Army until the introduction of the Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MLRS) in 1983. Originally designated as the T-123, this new 4.5-inch Multiple Rocket Launcher had 25 tubes, which were muzzle-loaded and electronically fired in a preset sequence. The rate of fire is limited only by the operators' speed in working the firing mechanism. The launcher was sighted by an elbow telescope for direct and indirect fire. The rocket launcher is used to launch smoke or high-explosive projectiles against ground targets. The launcher was used for area targets where the dispersion of rockets was desirable. The range was dependent on the type of rocket used and the maximum elevation allowed for that particular type of rocket. In normal use, one to three salvos would be fired and then the launcher would be transported to a new site. The launcher was normally towed by a jeep with a 2 ˝ ton truck carrying the ammunition. The M21 was last fired by the Marine Corps at Fort Sill in 1979 to test new radar equipment.
Caliber - 4.5 in. - 113 mm
Weight - 3,366 lbs. - 1,530 kg
Range - 5,000 yds. - 4,572 m
Shell Weight - 38 lbs. - 17.2 kg
Elevation - (0 to + 75 degrees) - (0 to
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+1,333 mils)
Traverse - 7 degrees - 121 mils
Rate of Fire - 25 rockets in 2.5 seconds
CCN# 112550
Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 381.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Korean. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. 34° 40.014′ N, 98° 23.138′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. Marker is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road. The marker is located in the central section of Artillery Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The front view of the U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher and Marker
sectionhead>More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access for Fort Sill.
Also see . . . U.S. Army Artillery Museum. (Submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021
3. The side view of the U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher with the British Five by Five behind it
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on September 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.