Cutaway model of a BLU-3/B Bomblet / Clusterbomb, nicknamed pineapple. The design of this clusterbomb can be traced back to the sixties of the past century. The bomblet is meant for use against personel and unarmoured targets and was ejected from the following dispensers:
CBU-2/A, 360 bomblets BLU-3/B in the SUU-7A (for use on high speed aircraft)
CBU-2A/B, 409 bomblets BLU-3/B in the SUU-7A (for use on high speed aircraft)
CBU-14A, BLU-3/B in the SUU-14A (for use on low speed aircraft)
CBU-14A/A, BLU-3/B in the SUU-14A/A
These dispensers are build up of bundles of pipes in which the bomblets are stacked behind one another. In the forward part of each pipe a piston is placed which drives the bomblets out of the pipe if placed under pressure. Electronic equipment build in the dispenser can be set to control the number and time interval of bomblets released.
The body (1) of the bomblet is made of 250 steel balls 1/4 inch (6,25mm) dia. steel balls which have been placed in a casting mould. The space between the balls is then filled with a casting alloy called Zamac, an alloy of Zink, Aluminium, Magnesium and Copper normally used for carburators in cars- . The lower part of the body is internally threaded to receive the impact fuze. The fuze body (2) exists of a cast and machined Zamac body. The firing cap (4) is placed in the arming slider (3) which keeps the firing cap out of line with the firing pin (9). A straight toothrack on the outside of the arming slider grips into a speed reducing gearbox gearwheel. (5). A rotation spring (6) wants to slide the arming slider in a position where the firing cap is in line with the firing pin. A spring loaded pin (7) is placed in such a way in the fuze body that in inward position it blocks the arming slider from any movement. This pin (7) is kept in inward position when the bomblets are stacked in the dispenser pipes, so forming a transport safety. A striker disk (8) with the firing pin (9) rivetted to it and a spring (10) on top is connected to the body by means of a number of small crimps. In safe position (striker disc upward) the firing pin protrudes through a hole in the arming slider, forming the arming safety. A steel band (11) held in position by a spoon (12) keeps the pop-out fins and the striker disc firmly in inward position.
After release of the bomblet from the dispenser, the spoon (12) catches the slipstream and flips over, releasing the steel band (11), releasing the popout fins. With the release of the steel band the pin (7) that forms the transport safety moves out, removing the transport safety. When the fins pop out, the striker disc (8) is released and forced out by the spring (10), thereby retracting the firing pin from the arming slider. The arming slider (3) now starts moving underr influence of the rotation spring (6), slowed -3 seconds- in its movement by the reduction gearbox (5), so the bomb is removed some distance from the airplane befor becoming armed. On impact the striker disc (8) is pushed inward, pushing the firing pin (9) into the firing cap (4), igniting the detonator (13), which on its turn ignites a main charge (14) of 0,16 Kg RDX.
Folded length: 95mm (3,75 inch)
Fully extended: 170mm (6,7 inch)
Diameter: 70mm (2,75 inch)
Weight: 0,79 Kg (1,75 Lb)
Regards, DJH
CBU-2/A, 360 bomblets BLU-3/B in the SUU-7A (for use on high speed aircraft)
CBU-2A/B, 409 bomblets BLU-3/B in the SUU-7A (for use on high speed aircraft)
CBU-14A, BLU-3/B in the SUU-14A (for use on low speed aircraft)
CBU-14A/A, BLU-3/B in the SUU-14A/A
These dispensers are build up of bundles of pipes in which the bomblets are stacked behind one another. In the forward part of each pipe a piston is placed which drives the bomblets out of the pipe if placed under pressure. Electronic equipment build in the dispenser can be set to control the number and time interval of bomblets released.
The body (1) of the bomblet is made of 250 steel balls 1/4 inch (6,25mm) dia. steel balls which have been placed in a casting mould. The space between the balls is then filled with a casting alloy called Zamac, an alloy of Zink, Aluminium, Magnesium and Copper normally used for carburators in cars- . The lower part of the body is internally threaded to receive the impact fuze. The fuze body (2) exists of a cast and machined Zamac body. The firing cap (4) is placed in the arming slider (3) which keeps the firing cap out of line with the firing pin (9). A straight toothrack on the outside of the arming slider grips into a speed reducing gearbox gearwheel. (5). A rotation spring (6) wants to slide the arming slider in a position where the firing cap is in line with the firing pin. A spring loaded pin (7) is placed in such a way in the fuze body that in inward position it blocks the arming slider from any movement. This pin (7) is kept in inward position when the bomblets are stacked in the dispenser pipes, so forming a transport safety. A striker disk (8) with the firing pin (9) rivetted to it and a spring (10) on top is connected to the body by means of a number of small crimps. In safe position (striker disc upward) the firing pin protrudes through a hole in the arming slider, forming the arming safety. A steel band (11) held in position by a spoon (12) keeps the pop-out fins and the striker disc firmly in inward position.
After release of the bomblet from the dispenser, the spoon (12) catches the slipstream and flips over, releasing the steel band (11), releasing the popout fins. With the release of the steel band the pin (7) that forms the transport safety moves out, removing the transport safety. When the fins pop out, the striker disc (8) is released and forced out by the spring (10), thereby retracting the firing pin from the arming slider. The arming slider (3) now starts moving underr influence of the rotation spring (6), slowed -3 seconds- in its movement by the reduction gearbox (5), so the bomb is removed some distance from the airplane befor becoming armed. On impact the striker disc (8) is pushed inward, pushing the firing pin (9) into the firing cap (4), igniting the detonator (13), which on its turn ignites a main charge (14) of 0,16 Kg RDX.
Folded length: 95mm (3,75 inch)
Fully extended: 170mm (6,7 inch)
Diameter: 70mm (2,75 inch)
Weight: 0,79 Kg (1,75 Lb)
Regards, DJH
Attachments
Last edited:
