Bdu-28/b

[pzgr40]

Cutaway model of a BDU-28/B (Bomb Dumb Unit), the training version of the BLU-3/B Bomblet, nicknamed “pineapple”. The design of this clusterbomb can be traced back to the sixties of the past century. The bomblet is meant for target practice and is painted braight orange to make it clear visable after landing and to mark it as a ttarget practice projectile. The BLU/28-B is 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 of the practice bomblet is made of an 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 Zamac dummy impact fuze. The striker disc and it’s spring are connected to the dummy fuze, however the firing pin is left away. Ballistically, the BDU-28/B behaves the same as the BLU-3B.

After release of the bomblet from the dispenser, the spoon (12) catches the slipstream and flips over, releasing the steel band (11), releasing the pop–out fins ( http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/blu-3-b-t70754.html?t=70754 ). With the release of the steel band the fins pop out and the practice bomblet falls to the ground.

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

 

[kahu1]

Nice work!

I recall seeing a US ordnance training film of 'UXO in Cambodia'
where a lot of the live version of these were dropped.
As per normal ,a lot of 'duds' so the locals would collect them up 'defuse' them ,then turn them so they sat upside down on the fins and light them as a very intense camp stove.The narrator advised strongly against this practice as the HE could, and did, sometimes explode,instead of just burn,fiercely!.
cheers, Bob.

 

[pzgr40]

The Live version being the RDX filled BLU-3/B , http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/blu-3-b-t70754.html?t=70754

filled with RDX. RDX does burn at first , but then burning can change into an deflagration and into a detonation. A very dangerous way of making a camp fire indeed.
Regards DJH