Canadian American Strategic Review

CASR Home

Background Air Support

Background CF18 CAS

Background Intro

In Detail Intro

Section Index

Background  —  CF-18  Ground Attack  –  CRV-7 Unguided Rocket

Note:  This page is provided as background  for the proposed deployment of  CF-18 fighters  to Afghanistan as close air support aircraft.

CRV-7 “Only in Canada, You Say” The CRV-7 was developed by DND (at the Defence Research Establish- ment, Valcartier ) but  are produced by Bristol Aerospace of Winnipeg. These unguided rockets consist of propellant tubes (fitted with folding fins) which can be equipped with a variety of  70mm  warheads.  Due to its higher velocity, the CRV-7 has a flatter  trajectory than other rockets in its class improving  accuracy. [1]

FFAR “...Or What You Will...” [2] The CRV-7 projectile also has a fast rate of rotation — spin imparted by the tail fins is aided by vanes in the rocket motor nozzle which re-direct the efflux — adding to its accuracy. Higher speed also means increased kinetic energy which made possible an effective anti-armour warhead – the Flechette Anti-Tank, five tungsten-steel darts under a nylon nosecone.

A range of CRV-7 launch tubes are made but,  the  most common is the 19-round  LAU-5003 which is fitted with an aerodynamic fairing for use by CF-18s. The range for the CRV-7 unguided rocket is  just over  3.5km. The CRV-7 is currently in service in Afghanistan arming British RAF Harrier GR7As based at Kandahar Airfield to support ISAF forces.

[1] Obviously accuracy is critical when supporting troops on the ground. Depending on warhead type, unguided rockets have proven to be effective against light armour and dismounted infantry. Due to a lack of fire ‘concentration’, rockets are less effective in built-up areas. [2] The 2.75-inch/70mm class of unguided rockets date from WWII. Post-war developments are called FFAR (Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets) since, like the CRV-7 their tail-fins fold for compact storage in their combined launch tube/containers.  Most famous of the 70mm class is the US 2.75-inch Zuni but, this rather elderly unguided rocket is completely outclassed by the CRV-7 which was first conceived in 1973. The CF may fit some of its CH-146 Griffon utility helicopters with CRV-7s. This is now feasible because of the development of low-smoke rocket motors — earlier CRV-7 motors produced a distinctive smoke trail which would have betrayed the position of a launch helicopter.