Big Five Weapons
Encyclopedia
The Big Five was a series of biological weapons developed by the United States Army
Chemical Corps' Special Operations Division (SOD) at Fort Detrick
Biological Warfare Laboratory
(BWL) for use by special forces. These weapons were developed in the 1950s and 1960s, and were eventually destroyed when the United States unilaterally ended its offensive biological warfare program.
The weapons were -
M1 Biodart (E1) A 7.62mm rifle cartridge with a sabot surrounding a flechette with exterior grooves filled with either botulinum toxin
A (XR), saxitoxin
(TZ), or possibly a combination of the two. There were 4,450 filled and 5,315 unfilled M1s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
M2 Separable Bullet (E2)
A 7.62mm rifle cartridge with a hollow metal bullet containing dry-type botulinum toxin
A (XR), or a simulant. The bullet would release a puff of aerosol on impact. Anthrax
(TR) was another possible fill. There were 71,696 filled, an 14,046 unfilled M2s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
M4 Disseminator
A small gas expulsion device for disseminating a dry-type agent, such as tularemia
(SR). There were 21,150 filled and 34,568 unfilled M4s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
M5 Depositor (E44)
A metal can that would expel a quantity of dry-type from the side of a road to work as an anti-convoy device from secondary aerosols (kick-up). Though intended for anthrax
(TR) these were only filled with simulants. There were 90 filled and 2,604 unfilled M5s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
M32 Disperser
Using a pressurized gas bottle, regulator, heater, and timer, the M32 was a man-pack weapon for pre-emplacement upwind of a target. The agent reservoir was an interchangeable compartment that held either 7 liters of wet-type or 2.75 kilograms of dry-type agent. It was intended for use with tularemia
(SR) or simulants. There were 168 filled and 348 unfilled M32s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Chemical Corps' Special Operations Division (SOD) at Fort Detrick
Fort Detrick
Fort Detrick is a U.S. Army Medical Command installation located in Frederick, Maryland, USA. Historically, Fort Detrick was the center for the United States' biological weapons program ....
Biological Warfare Laboratory
United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories
The U.S. Army Biological Warfare Laboratories were a suite of research laboratories and pilot plant centers operating at Camp Detrick, Maryland, USA beginning in 1943 under the control of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Research and Development Command...
(BWL) for use by special forces. These weapons were developed in the 1950s and 1960s, and were eventually destroyed when the United States unilaterally ended its offensive biological warfare program.
The weapons were -
M1 Biodart (E1) A 7.62mm rifle cartridge with a sabot surrounding a flechette with exterior grooves filled with either botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and is considered the most powerful neurotoxin ever discovered. Botulinum toxin causes Botulism poisoning, a serious and life-threatening illness in humans and animals...
A (XR), saxitoxin
Saxitoxin
Saxitoxin is a neurotoxin naturally produced by certain species of marine dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria Saxitoxin (STX) is a neurotoxin naturally produced by certain species of marine dinoflagellates (Alexandrium sp., Gymnodinium sp., Pyrodinium sp.) and cyanobacteria Saxitoxin (STX) is a...
(TZ), or possibly a combination of the two. There were 4,450 filled and 5,315 unfilled M1s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
M2 Separable Bullet (E2)
A 7.62mm rifle cartridge with a hollow metal bullet containing dry-type botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and is considered the most powerful neurotoxin ever discovered. Botulinum toxin causes Botulism poisoning, a serious and life-threatening illness in humans and animals...
A (XR), or a simulant. The bullet would release a puff of aerosol on impact. Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...
(TR) was another possible fill. There were 71,696 filled, an 14,046 unfilled M2s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
M4 Disseminator
A small gas expulsion device for disseminating a dry-type agent, such as tularemia
Tularemia
Tularemia is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. A Gram-negative, nonmotile coccobacillus, the bacterium has several subspecies with varying degrees of virulence. The most important of those is F...
(SR). There were 21,150 filled and 34,568 unfilled M4s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
M5 Depositor (E44)
A metal can that would expel a quantity of dry-type from the side of a road to work as an anti-convoy device from secondary aerosols (kick-up). Though intended for anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...
(TR) these were only filled with simulants. There were 90 filled and 2,604 unfilled M5s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.
M32 Disperser
Using a pressurized gas bottle, regulator, heater, and timer, the M32 was a man-pack weapon for pre-emplacement upwind of a target. The agent reservoir was an interchangeable compartment that held either 7 liters of wet-type or 2.75 kilograms of dry-type agent. It was intended for use with tularemia
Tularemia
Tularemia is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. A Gram-negative, nonmotile coccobacillus, the bacterium has several subspecies with varying degrees of virulence. The most important of those is F...
(SR) or simulants. There were 168 filled and 348 unfilled M32s in the arsenal at the time of its destruction.