First test fired on June 24, 1942, further tests in August proved sufficiently successful for the Navy Bureau of Ordnance to place an initial order for 3,000 Beach Barrage Rockets; the weapon was introduced into combat service that November, during the invasion of northern Africa. Fired from 12-round launchers and capable of being fitted with either the standard high explosive or a white phosphorus warhead, approximately 1,600,000 examples of the BBR were built; although the rocket proved inaccurate in service, it was widely used, and was highly regarded by members of the amphibious forces. The effect on the target of the Beach Barrage Rocket was described as being equivalent to that of a barrage from heavy mortars.