john.ismay
New Member
Hello all, I'm looking for information on the BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomblet as well as the larger CBU-87/B Combined Effects Munition program, and I would love to tap into the collective memory and knowledge of the group here.
1. Does anyone here have first-hand knowledge of the program's origins?
From what I can gather, it appears that work on the program started around May 1974. I'd love to talk to anyone who was working munitions development at Hill AFB and Eglin AFB around that time who might know something about it. It seems like the USAF built it as a one-size-fits-all alternative to all the different CBU systems it had in Vietnam, and I was guessing there might've been a study analyzing the performance of existing systems in Southeast Asia, identifying the pros and cons of those different systems, and outlining what features a next-generation submunition should have. I'd really like to know too if any particular individual was responsible for pushing the CEM program through from design to development.
2. Does anyone know any of the original engineers on the CEM program from Aerojet Ordnance in Downey, Calif.?
I know the names of some of those folks, but they've passed away in recent years. I'm hoping to find others who might still be alive.
3. Does anyone here know how the BLU-97/B got approved for use without having an RSP?
I understand that there's an RSP now, but there sure wasn't one when I went through EOD school in 2003. It was the only modern weapon our instructors told us about that had no RSP. I'm wondering if that was an accident of the design process, or an intended feature.
4. Does anyone here have any stories about dealing with BLU-97 accidents or incidents?
If so, I'd really like to hear them.
Many thanks for reading, and my thanks in advance to anyone who responds!
1. Does anyone here have first-hand knowledge of the program's origins?
From what I can gather, it appears that work on the program started around May 1974. I'd love to talk to anyone who was working munitions development at Hill AFB and Eglin AFB around that time who might know something about it. It seems like the USAF built it as a one-size-fits-all alternative to all the different CBU systems it had in Vietnam, and I was guessing there might've been a study analyzing the performance of existing systems in Southeast Asia, identifying the pros and cons of those different systems, and outlining what features a next-generation submunition should have. I'd really like to know too if any particular individual was responsible for pushing the CEM program through from design to development.
2. Does anyone know any of the original engineers on the CEM program from Aerojet Ordnance in Downey, Calif.?
I know the names of some of those folks, but they've passed away in recent years. I'm hoping to find others who might still be alive.
3. Does anyone here know how the BLU-97/B got approved for use without having an RSP?
I understand that there's an RSP now, but there sure wasn't one when I went through EOD school in 2003. It was the only modern weapon our instructors told us about that had no RSP. I'm wondering if that was an accident of the design process, or an intended feature.
4. Does anyone here have any stories about dealing with BLU-97 accidents or incidents?
If so, I'd really like to hear them.
Many thanks for reading, and my thanks in advance to anyone who responds!