Description of the clusterbombs:
CBU / Cluster Bomb Unit: Clusterbomb (container housing the clusterbombs)
BLU / Bomb Live Unit : Single bomb from clusterbom container
The BLU-26/B "Guava" was an air-dispensed APAM (anti-personnel/anti-material) fragmentation bomblet with 600 embedded steel fragments. The BLU-26/B had three different fuzing options. It could detonate immediately on impact, as an airburst 9 m (30 ft) above ground, or after a selectable but fixed time after impact. The externally identical BLU-36/B and BLU-59/B had random-delay fuzes.
The BLU-26/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-23/B (BLU-26/B in SUU-31/B)
CBU-24/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30/B)
CBU-24A/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-24B/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30B/B)
CBU-24C/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30C/B)
In 1966/67, the BLU-26/B bomblet was also evaluated as a payload for the AGM-12C Bullpup guided missile. These tests probably led to the development of the AGM-12E variant, which had an anti-personnel cluster bomb warhead using BLU-26/B bomblets.
Data for BLU-26/B:
Diameter: 64 mm (2.5 in)
Weight: 435 g (0.95 lb)
Explosive: 85 g (0.19 lb) Cyclotol
The BLU-36/B was a variant of the BLU-26/B APAM (anti-personnel/anti-material) fragmentation bomblet with a randomly timed delay fuze, i.e. it detonated at an unpredictable time after impact.
The BLU-36/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-24/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30/B)
CBU-24A/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-24B/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30B/B)
CBU-24C/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30C/B)
CBU-29/B (670 BLU-36/B in SUU-30/B)
CBU-29A/B (670 BLU-36/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-29B/B (670 BLU-36/B in SUU-30B/B)
CBU-29C/B (670 BLU-36/B in SUU-30C/B)
Data for BLU-36/B:
Diameter: 64 mm (2.5 in)
Weight: 435 g (0.95 lb)
Explosive: 85 g (0.19 lb) Cyclotol
The BLU-61/B was an aerially dispensed anti-material fragmentation and incendiary bomblet. It was spin-armed and detonated on impact. The bomblet consisted of two hemispheres, both with a fragmentation liner of coined steel and a liner for zirconium-tin for the incendiary effect. There was also a BLU-61A/B version, but information about the differences is not available. The BLU-61A/B was apparently the primary (and possibly only) variant used in service.
The BLU-61A/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-52/B (217 BLU-61A/B in SUU-30B)
CBU-52A/B (217 BLU-61A/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-52B/B (217 BLU-61A/B in SUU-30B/B)
CBU-76/B (290 BLU-61A/B in SUU-51B/B)
Data for BLU-61A/B:
Diameter: 99 mm (3.9 in)
Weight: 1.2 kg (2.6 lb)
Explosive: 277 g (0.61 lb) Octol
The BLU-63/B was an aerially dispensed, centrifugally-armed, impact-fired anti-personnel/anti-material fragmentation bomblet. There was also a BLU-63A/B version, but confirmed information about the differences is not available (the -63A/B possibly had a secondary incendiary effect). The BLU-86( )/B series was externally identical to the BLU-63( )/B, but had a time-delayed fuze.
The BLU-63( )/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-58/B (650 BLU-63/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-58A/B (650 BLU-63A/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-75/B (1800 BLU-63/B in SUU-54A/B)
CBU-75A/B (1420 BLU-63/B and 355 BLU-86/B in SUU-54A/B)
CBU-77/B (790 BLU-63/B in SUU-51B/B)
The CBU-75/B could be fitted with a KMU-421/B Paveway laser guidance kit, resulting in the GBU-2/B PAVE STORM guided bomb.
Data for BLU-63/B:
Diameter: 76 mm (3 in)
Weight: 0.45 kg (1 lb)
Explosive: 113 g (0.25 lb) Cyclotol.
The BLU-63b was also used in Army Rocket artillery like the Lance missile and ATACMS, it was than called The M74 grenade. The fuse used in these missiles was the M219E2, which differs from the M219E1 in lubricant. 300pcs of M74 grenades were packed in the warhead of the Lance missile.
The BLU-42/B WAAPM (Wide-Area Anti-Personnel Mine) was a spherical anti-personnel fragmentation minelet. It was fitted with several surface and trip-wire sensors for detonation, an anti-tampering device, and a self-destruct system. There was also a BLU-42A/B variant, but no information about the differences is available. The BLU-54/B was externally identical to the BLU-42( )/B, but had a long-life self-destruct system.
The BLU-42( )/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-34/A (540 BLU-42( )/B (10 CDU-18/B or CDU-19/B clusters of 54 mines each) in SUU-38/A
Data for BLU-42/B:
Diameter: 60 mm (2.38 in)
Weight: 500 g (1.1 lb)
Explosive: 71 g (0.15 lb) Composition-B
The M38/M40,
A smaller version of the ball shaped clusterbombs. The bomblet is also rotation armed. 950 pcs. Were packed in the warhead of the Lance missile.
Diameter: 45 mm
No further info about grenade or fuze is available. The M38/M40 in the picture is a dummy.
The blue dummy is of an unknown type designation , however of US manufacturing
Diameter: 48 mm
An interesting piece of movie where this type of CBUs can be seen in action:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYXdk-qTl5U&feature=related"]YouTube- US Air Force dropping Cluster Bombs...[/ame]
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Description of impact fuze M-219(E1);
The fuze exists of an upper (1) and lower body (2). The fuze is rotation armed. After relaese from the CBU (Clusterbomb container) or missile the ribs (flutes) on the outside of the body of the clusterbomb start to cause rotation untill the clusterbomb rotates very fast.
The lower body (1) houses the rotation safety shutter (3), the spring loaded centrifugal safety segments (4), the firing cap (5) and the detonator (8). When rotating fast, the four centrifugal weights that lock the rotation safety shutter in safe position are thrown outward, overriding the springs (6). The rotation safety shutter is now free to rotate and the firing cap (7) is (spring)rotated over the detonator (8) and below the firing pin (9).
The upper body (2) houses the arming vane (10) with its rotation spring (11), the arming vane relase lever (12), the firing pin (9) and its blade spring (13), the locking ball (14) for the firing pin and the bag with gel(15).
On release the fast rotation of the clusterbomb throws the gel in the bag (blue) outward, thereby flattening the bag, creating enough space for the arming vane to rotate. The arming vane is rotated by means of a rotation wire spring (11). The arming vane release (yellow, 12) keeps a blade spring (red, above the release vane) in upward position, blocking the arming vane (10) from rotating.
When, -after release from the CBU - the rotation safety shutter (3) rotates, it turns the arming vane release - hooked in a slot in the rotation safety shutter with its lower part-, so enabeling the blade spring to move down and release the arming vane.
The firing pin(9) is (blade)spring (13) loaded and has a recess in top in which a small ball (14) fits, keeping the firing pin in upward position. The arming vane has a slot on the outer circumference of its shaft in which the ball fits, releasing the firing pin when the slot has rotated in line with the ball.
In the picture it can be observed two types of arming vanes are used;
type 1 with one slot (red arrow), meaning after rotating the arming vane the firing pin is released, exploding the clusterbomb, either in the air or on the ground.
The type 2 has two slots (blue and red arrow); after rotation of the arming vane, the ball will fall into the first slot (blue arrow). As there is still spring tension on the arming vane by the rotation spring (11), the arming vane will have to rotate/creep to the red slot beside it to release the firing pin.
I am not treally shure what happens next, but there are in my opinion- two possibillities:
* impact will make the ball (14) jump the next (red arrow) slot releasing the firing pin, exploding the clusterbomb instantly. (impact fuze)
*After impact the rotation spring (11) will slowly start to rotate (creep) the arming vane, pushing away the gel in the bag until the ball falls in the next (red) slot, releasing the firing pin and exploding the clusterbomb. This forms a random time delay. As the clusterbomb does not rotate anymore after impact, the bag of gel has retaken its original form causing more resistance than in a rotating clusterbomb. This increased resistance lengthens the time delay.
I suppose the delay will probably also be dependant on the outside temperature as the gel in the bag will be thicker either thinner when used in artic either tropical conditions.
I am not shure -maybe someone can tell me- that the fuze with the type 2 vane is the M-218 (0-120 minutes) random delay fuze or the M224 (0-30 minutes) random delay fuze. I have no further drawings, descriptions or info of this type of fuze.
Regards , DJH
CBU / Cluster Bomb Unit: Clusterbomb (container housing the clusterbombs)
BLU / Bomb Live Unit : Single bomb from clusterbom container
The BLU-26/B "Guava" was an air-dispensed APAM (anti-personnel/anti-material) fragmentation bomblet with 600 embedded steel fragments. The BLU-26/B had three different fuzing options. It could detonate immediately on impact, as an airburst 9 m (30 ft) above ground, or after a selectable but fixed time after impact. The externally identical BLU-36/B and BLU-59/B had random-delay fuzes.
The BLU-26/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-23/B (BLU-26/B in SUU-31/B)
CBU-24/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30/B)
CBU-24A/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-24B/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30B/B)
CBU-24C/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30C/B)
In 1966/67, the BLU-26/B bomblet was also evaluated as a payload for the AGM-12C Bullpup guided missile. These tests probably led to the development of the AGM-12E variant, which had an anti-personnel cluster bomb warhead using BLU-26/B bomblets.
Data for BLU-26/B:
Diameter: 64 mm (2.5 in)
Weight: 435 g (0.95 lb)
Explosive: 85 g (0.19 lb) Cyclotol
The BLU-36/B was a variant of the BLU-26/B APAM (anti-personnel/anti-material) fragmentation bomblet with a randomly timed delay fuze, i.e. it detonated at an unpredictable time after impact.
The BLU-36/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-24/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30/B)
CBU-24A/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-24B/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30B/B)
CBU-24C/B (665 BLU-26/B or BLU-36/B in SUU-30C/B)
CBU-29/B (670 BLU-36/B in SUU-30/B)
CBU-29A/B (670 BLU-36/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-29B/B (670 BLU-36/B in SUU-30B/B)
CBU-29C/B (670 BLU-36/B in SUU-30C/B)
Data for BLU-36/B:
Diameter: 64 mm (2.5 in)
Weight: 435 g (0.95 lb)
Explosive: 85 g (0.19 lb) Cyclotol
The BLU-61/B was an aerially dispensed anti-material fragmentation and incendiary bomblet. It was spin-armed and detonated on impact. The bomblet consisted of two hemispheres, both with a fragmentation liner of coined steel and a liner for zirconium-tin for the incendiary effect. There was also a BLU-61A/B version, but information about the differences is not available. The BLU-61A/B was apparently the primary (and possibly only) variant used in service.
The BLU-61A/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-52/B (217 BLU-61A/B in SUU-30B)
CBU-52A/B (217 BLU-61A/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-52B/B (217 BLU-61A/B in SUU-30B/B)
CBU-76/B (290 BLU-61A/B in SUU-51B/B)
Data for BLU-61A/B:
Diameter: 99 mm (3.9 in)
Weight: 1.2 kg (2.6 lb)
Explosive: 277 g (0.61 lb) Octol
The BLU-63/B was an aerially dispensed, centrifugally-armed, impact-fired anti-personnel/anti-material fragmentation bomblet. There was also a BLU-63A/B version, but confirmed information about the differences is not available (the -63A/B possibly had a secondary incendiary effect). The BLU-86( )/B series was externally identical to the BLU-63( )/B, but had a time-delayed fuze.
The BLU-63( )/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-58/B (650 BLU-63/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-58A/B (650 BLU-63A/B in SUU-30A/B)
CBU-75/B (1800 BLU-63/B in SUU-54A/B)
CBU-75A/B (1420 BLU-63/B and 355 BLU-86/B in SUU-54A/B)
CBU-77/B (790 BLU-63/B in SUU-51B/B)
The CBU-75/B could be fitted with a KMU-421/B Paveway laser guidance kit, resulting in the GBU-2/B PAVE STORM guided bomb.
Data for BLU-63/B:
Diameter: 76 mm (3 in)
Weight: 0.45 kg (1 lb)
Explosive: 113 g (0.25 lb) Cyclotol.
The BLU-63b was also used in Army Rocket artillery like the Lance missile and ATACMS, it was than called The M74 grenade. The fuse used in these missiles was the M219E2, which differs from the M219E1 in lubricant. 300pcs of M74 grenades were packed in the warhead of the Lance missile.
The BLU-42/B WAAPM (Wide-Area Anti-Personnel Mine) was a spherical anti-personnel fragmentation minelet. It was fitted with several surface and trip-wire sensors for detonation, an anti-tampering device, and a self-destruct system. There was also a BLU-42A/B variant, but no information about the differences is available. The BLU-54/B was externally identical to the BLU-42( )/B, but had a long-life self-destruct system.
The BLU-42( )/B was used as payload in the following cluster bombs:
CBU-34/A (540 BLU-42( )/B (10 CDU-18/B or CDU-19/B clusters of 54 mines each) in SUU-38/A
Data for BLU-42/B:
Diameter: 60 mm (2.38 in)
Weight: 500 g (1.1 lb)
Explosive: 71 g (0.15 lb) Composition-B
The M38/M40,
A smaller version of the ball shaped clusterbombs. The bomblet is also rotation armed. 950 pcs. Were packed in the warhead of the Lance missile.
Diameter: 45 mm
No further info about grenade or fuze is available. The M38/M40 in the picture is a dummy.
The blue dummy is of an unknown type designation , however of US manufacturing
Diameter: 48 mm
An interesting piece of movie where this type of CBUs can be seen in action:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYXdk-qTl5U&feature=related"]YouTube- US Air Force dropping Cluster Bombs...[/ame]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Description of impact fuze M-219(E1);
The fuze exists of an upper (1) and lower body (2). The fuze is rotation armed. After relaese from the CBU (Clusterbomb container) or missile the ribs (flutes) on the outside of the body of the clusterbomb start to cause rotation untill the clusterbomb rotates very fast.
The lower body (1) houses the rotation safety shutter (3), the spring loaded centrifugal safety segments (4), the firing cap (5) and the detonator (8). When rotating fast, the four centrifugal weights that lock the rotation safety shutter in safe position are thrown outward, overriding the springs (6). The rotation safety shutter is now free to rotate and the firing cap (7) is (spring)rotated over the detonator (8) and below the firing pin (9).
The upper body (2) houses the arming vane (10) with its rotation spring (11), the arming vane relase lever (12), the firing pin (9) and its blade spring (13), the locking ball (14) for the firing pin and the bag with gel(15).
On release the fast rotation of the clusterbomb throws the gel in the bag (blue) outward, thereby flattening the bag, creating enough space for the arming vane to rotate. The arming vane is rotated by means of a rotation wire spring (11). The arming vane release (yellow, 12) keeps a blade spring (red, above the release vane) in upward position, blocking the arming vane (10) from rotating.
When, -after release from the CBU - the rotation safety shutter (3) rotates, it turns the arming vane release - hooked in a slot in the rotation safety shutter with its lower part-, so enabeling the blade spring to move down and release the arming vane.
The firing pin(9) is (blade)spring (13) loaded and has a recess in top in which a small ball (14) fits, keeping the firing pin in upward position. The arming vane has a slot on the outer circumference of its shaft in which the ball fits, releasing the firing pin when the slot has rotated in line with the ball.
In the picture it can be observed two types of arming vanes are used;
type 1 with one slot (red arrow), meaning after rotating the arming vane the firing pin is released, exploding the clusterbomb, either in the air or on the ground.
The type 2 has two slots (blue and red arrow); after rotation of the arming vane, the ball will fall into the first slot (blue arrow). As there is still spring tension on the arming vane by the rotation spring (11), the arming vane will have to rotate/creep to the red slot beside it to release the firing pin.
I am not treally shure what happens next, but there are in my opinion- two possibillities:
* impact will make the ball (14) jump the next (red arrow) slot releasing the firing pin, exploding the clusterbomb instantly. (impact fuze)
*After impact the rotation spring (11) will slowly start to rotate (creep) the arming vane, pushing away the gel in the bag until the ball falls in the next (red) slot, releasing the firing pin and exploding the clusterbomb. This forms a random time delay. As the clusterbomb does not rotate anymore after impact, the bag of gel has retaken its original form causing more resistance than in a rotating clusterbomb. This increased resistance lengthens the time delay.
I suppose the delay will probably also be dependant on the outside temperature as the gel in the bag will be thicker either thinner when used in artic either tropical conditions.
I am not shure -maybe someone can tell me- that the fuze with the type 2 vane is the M-218 (0-120 minutes) random delay fuze or the M224 (0-30 minutes) random delay fuze. I have no further drawings, descriptions or info of this type of fuze.
Regards , DJH
