Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka

The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (櫻花, Ōka, "cherry blossom"; 桜花 in modern orthography) is a purpose-built, rocket-powered human-guided kamikaze attack aircraft employed by Japan against Allied ships towards the end of the Pacific War during World War II. Although extremely fast, the very short range of the Ohka meant that it had to be carried into action as a parasite aircraft by a much larger bomber, which was itself vulnerable to carrier-borne fighters. In action during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, Ohkas were able to sink or damage some escort vessels and transport ships but no major warships were ever sunk. Improved versions which attempted to overcome the aircraft's shortcomings were developed too late to be deployed. Allied troops referred to the aircraft as "Baka Bombs" (baka being a Japanese pejorative term meaning "fool" or "idiot").

MXY-7 Ohka
Ohka Model 11 replica at the Yasukuni Shrine Yūshūkan war museum.
Role Kamikaze (piloted suicide) anti-ship aircraft / missile
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal
First flight 21 March 1944 (unpowered), November 1944 (powered).
Introduction 1945
Retired 1945
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Produced 1944–1945
Number built 852
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