The attempt to mate a multiple rocket launching system to a vehicle was nothing new by 1944. The Soviets were already finding successes with their Katyusha launchers against the Germans, who in turn had been fielding their Nebelwerfer weapons for some time. The general idea was to launch massive amounts of high-explosive munitions at distance against entrenched foes. Accuracy was of some concern though the sheer psychological effects of such a weapon lead some to believe this to be their only battlefield advantage. As a whole, the idea can be of under some debate as to the effectiveness of the Calliope system in a war planner's tool chest.
The Sherman Calliope first appeared onto the scene in France in 1944 as the T34 Calliope system. The system featured 60 x 107mm tubes mounted above the standard Sherman turret and operated directly with it in terms of elevation and direction. The rockets could be engaged from within and fired all at once.
Calliope systems offered up a large amount of indirect firepower with very little modifications needed to the system carrying it. The system need only be stationary and have the firing systems onboard. As such, rocket launching systems of all types were used throughout the war, mated to armored chassis, trucks and jeeps.
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FIRE SUPPORT / ASSAULT / BREACHING
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.
SPECIAL PURPOSE
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.
19.4 ft (5.9 meters) Length
8.6 ft (2.62 meters) Width
9.0 ft (2.74 meters) Height
Various: 1 x 9-cylinder Continental R-975 CI engine at 400 horsepower; 2 x General Motors GM 6-71 engines; 1 x Ford GAA V-8 engine; 1 x Chrysler WC Multibank engine; 1 x Caterpillar RD-1820 radial engine. Drive System
24 mph (38 kph) Road Speed
99 miles (160 km) Road Range
60 x 4-6" rockets (launched from wooden tubes arranged over the existing turret structure).
AMMUNITION
Dependent on configuration. 10 to 60 rocket projectiles of various caliber.
Rocket Launcher T34 "Calliope" - Rocket Artillery Vehicle; fitted with 60 x 4-6" rocket tubes.
Rocket Launcher T34E1 - Based on T34; fitted with 14 rocket tubes.
Rocket Launcher T34E2 - Based on T34; provision for launching 7.2" rockets.
Rocket Launcher T39 - Enclosed box mounting; 20 x 7.2" rockets.
Rocket Launcher T40 "WhizBang" - Fitted with 20 x 7.2" rockets.
M17 - Same as T40
Rocket Launcher T72 - Based on T34 with shorter tubes; never produced.
Rocket Launcher T73 - Based on T40; 10 x firing tubes; never produced.
Rocket Launcher T76 - Development Model; rocket launcher; based on M4A1 Sherman; fitted with 7.2 rocket launcher; sans main gun.
Rocket Launcher T105 - Development Model; rocket launcher; based on M4A1 Sherman; rockets fired from enclosed case; sans main gun.
Multiple Rocket Launcher T99 - Development Model; twin enclosed box mounts fitting 22 x 4.5" rockets.
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