The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (櫻花[1], Ōka, "cherry blossom"; 桜花 in modern orthography) is a purpose-built, rocket-powered human-guided kamikaze attack-aircraft[2] deployed by Japan against Allied ships in the Pacific Ocean theater toward the end of World War II.

Although extremely fast, the Ohka had a very short range, so it had to be carried into action as a parasite aircraft by a much larger bomber that was vulnerable to carrier-borne fighters.

In action during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, Ohkas succeeded in sinking or damaging some escort-vessels and transport ships, but never sank any major warships.

[3] The MXY-7 Navy Suicide Attacker Ohka was a manned flying bomb that was usually carried underneath a Mitsubishi G4M2e Model 24J "Betty" bomber to within range of its target.

On release, the pilot would first glide towards the target and when close enough he would fire the Ohka's three solid-fuel rockets, one at a time or in unison,[4] and fly the missile towards the ship that he intended to destroy.

The design was conceived by Ensign Mitsuo Ohta[5] of the 405th Kōkūtai,[6] aided by students of the Aeronautical Research Institute at the University of Tokyo.

The Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS Mannert L. Abele was the first Allied ship to be sunk by Ohka aircraft, near Okinawa on 12 April 1945.

This was problematic, as it required the slow, heavily laden mother aircraft to approach within 37 km (20 nmi; 23 mi) of the target, making it very vulnerable to defending fighters.

[11] The Ohka K-1 was an unpowered trainer version with water ballast instead of warhead and engines, that was used to provide pilots with handling experience.

[13] The Model 22 was designed to overcome the short standoff distance problem by using a Campini-type motorjet engine, the Ishikawajima Tsu-11, giving a level speed of only 276 mph at 13,125 feet but extending the range to 81 miles.

The Model 22 was to be launched by the more agile Yokosuka P1Y3 Ginga "Frances" bomber, necessitating a shorter wing span and much smaller 600-kilogram (1,300 lb) warhead.

At least one made a successful attack; its Ohka was thought to have hit one of the 406 mm (16 in) turrets on the battleship West Virginia, causing moderate damage.

The U.S. military quickly realized the danger and concentrated on extending their "defensive rings" outward to intercept the G4M/Ohka combination aircraft before the suicide mission could be launched.

The other Ohka narrowly missed (its pilot probably killed by anti-aircraft fire) and crashed into the sea, knocking off the Stanly's ensign in the process.

Postwar analysis concluded that the Ohka's impact was negligible, since no U.S. Navy capital ships had been hit during the attacks because of the effective defensive tactics that were employed.

[20] Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[43]General characteristics Performance Armament 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) Ammonal warhead