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UK 960 Mk 1/Mk 2 Multi Function Bomb Fuze
- Thread starter Wolfhound
- Start date
Overview summary from CatUxo:
"The British No 960, a multi-function bomb fuze (MFBF), for air-delivered aircraft bombs:
The MFBF can be programmed with the assembled bomb mounted on the aircraft.
This can be done just prior to take-off by means of a ground setting unit, to suit any type of attack and provide any required delay.
The MFBF was designed to fit into the rear fuze well of existing weapons and to replace all UK in-service mechanical bomb fuzes and pistols in 227kg (500 lb) and 454kg (1,000 lb.) bombs.
No modifications were required to the weapons, retarding tails or laser-guidance kits.
The electronically programmed fuze, which operates in impact, post-impact and air-burst modes, includes post-impact arming to permit delivery from very low levels.
The MFBF typically arms in approximately 1.5 seconds, allowing bombs to be released down to heights of less than 15m (50ft) at speeds from 300 kt to 650 kt."
Additional info from other sources:
The number 960 fuse replaced in service use the 951/952/947 series of bomb fuses. it was introduced in service in 1988.
The 960 ,is a tail fuze used in 1000lb Paveway laser guided bombs, armed on release by a combination of electrical and mechanical inputs
The 960 fuze has 7 capabilities:
Delivery:
Ballistic
Retarded
Airburst
Functioning:
Impact
Short delay
Long delay
Post impact arming
Low voltage self destruct
Components of thw 960 Fuze:
Head - pre impact functions (e.g electrical connections,arming vane T-bar)
Tube - post impact functions (e.g detonator, mechanical and electronic timers)
Functioning process:
The detonator is held offset from the other components by three interlocks.
On live release, an electrical signal is transmitted to the fuze via the lead electrical Fuze arming (LEFA).
This pulse initiates a gas motor in the fuze safety and arming unit, which removes the first interlock, and starts the mechanical timer.
Simultaneously, the tail unit arming mechanism is unlocked, allowing the vane to spin and start the mechanical arming sequence, removing the second interlock
The third interlock is removed when the mechanical timer activates the sequencer, and two electrical timers deliver pulses to the two gas motors inside it.
The detonator is then free to rotate into alignment and receive a final firing electrical pulse
These are the markings present on the 960 Mk1 drill fuze (painted blue):
The bottom of the gaine is stencilled in white DRILL.
The fuse has a red label on the top with 960 MK 1 (the fuse number). In white lettering with arrows on this red label WARNING DISABLER EXTENDS AT HIGH VELOCITY, ENSURE RED SECRUITY SEAL INTACT and ENSURE T-BAR ALIGNED.
Around its circumference, stencilled in white 960 MK1 DRILL/A HMK 91 DL/TGC/ 1335-99-060-3689 .
The fuse has two electrical multi pin connectors to the side and a large locking ring above the gaine to secure the fuse in the tail of the bomb, under the tail fins.
Bomb adaptor rings are fitted between the tail and the bomb body as a mounting point for the 960 fuze electrical connector and a mounting for the wiring harness when the associated proximity sensor was fitted to the nose of the bomb.
"The British No 960, a multi-function bomb fuze (MFBF), for air-delivered aircraft bombs:
The MFBF can be programmed with the assembled bomb mounted on the aircraft.
This can be done just prior to take-off by means of a ground setting unit, to suit any type of attack and provide any required delay.
The MFBF was designed to fit into the rear fuze well of existing weapons and to replace all UK in-service mechanical bomb fuzes and pistols in 227kg (500 lb) and 454kg (1,000 lb.) bombs.
No modifications were required to the weapons, retarding tails or laser-guidance kits.
The electronically programmed fuze, which operates in impact, post-impact and air-burst modes, includes post-impact arming to permit delivery from very low levels.
The MFBF typically arms in approximately 1.5 seconds, allowing bombs to be released down to heights of less than 15m (50ft) at speeds from 300 kt to 650 kt."
Additional info from other sources:
The number 960 fuse replaced in service use the 951/952/947 series of bomb fuses. it was introduced in service in 1988.
The 960 ,is a tail fuze used in 1000lb Paveway laser guided bombs, armed on release by a combination of electrical and mechanical inputs
The 960 fuze has 7 capabilities:
Delivery:
Ballistic
Retarded
Airburst
Functioning:
Impact
Short delay
Long delay
Post impact arming
Low voltage self destruct
Components of thw 960 Fuze:
Head - pre impact functions (e.g electrical connections,arming vane T-bar)
Tube - post impact functions (e.g detonator, mechanical and electronic timers)
Functioning process:
The detonator is held offset from the other components by three interlocks.
On live release, an electrical signal is transmitted to the fuze via the lead electrical Fuze arming (LEFA).
This pulse initiates a gas motor in the fuze safety and arming unit, which removes the first interlock, and starts the mechanical timer.
Simultaneously, the tail unit arming mechanism is unlocked, allowing the vane to spin and start the mechanical arming sequence, removing the second interlock
The third interlock is removed when the mechanical timer activates the sequencer, and two electrical timers deliver pulses to the two gas motors inside it.
The detonator is then free to rotate into alignment and receive a final firing electrical pulse
These are the markings present on the 960 Mk1 drill fuze (painted blue):
The bottom of the gaine is stencilled in white DRILL.
The fuse has a red label on the top with 960 MK 1 (the fuse number). In white lettering with arrows on this red label WARNING DISABLER EXTENDS AT HIGH VELOCITY, ENSURE RED SECRUITY SEAL INTACT and ENSURE T-BAR ALIGNED.
Around its circumference, stencilled in white 960 MK1 DRILL/A HMK 91 DL/TGC/ 1335-99-060-3689 .
The fuse has two electrical multi pin connectors to the side and a large locking ring above the gaine to secure the fuse in the tail of the bomb, under the tail fins.
Bomb adaptor rings are fitted between the tail and the bomb body as a mounting point for the 960 fuze electrical connector and a mounting for the wiring harness when the associated proximity sensor was fitted to the nose of the bomb.
Thanks for the info Dreamk. I didn't realise it replaced a number of other fuzes in the inventory.
The fuze has long delay settings enabling it to adopt the characteristics of a mine. Is there any information available about the long delay settings, as there is for the US FMU-152A/B?
The fuze has long delay settings enabling it to adopt the characteristics of a mine. Is there any information available about the long delay settings, as there is for the US FMU-152A/B?