E48 particulate bomb
Encyclopedia
The E48 particulate bomb was a U.S. biological sub-munition designed during the 1950s for use with the E96 cluster bomb.
. In practice, the E96 and its payload of E48 sub-munitions was intended to be air-dropped from 35,000 feet. The weapon could generate an elliptical aerosol agent cloud from this altitude that had major axes of 3,000 and 8,000 feet. Some of the agents considered for use with the E48 included, B. suis, anthrax
, and botulin.
in July and August 1950. The July tests released Bacillus globigii from the E48 using air-dropped cluster bombs. The August tests utilized the bacteria Serratia marcescens
, and involved E48s which dispersed the agent statically, from the ground.
History
In February 1950 a U.S. Army report prepared by William Creasy, a colonel within the U.S. bio-weapons program, noted that the E48 particulate bomb was in its final stages of development. Creasy also reported that the E48 had been successfully tested in three field trials.Specifications
The E48 particulate bomb was a 4 pound sub-munition meant to be clustered in the E38 type cluster adapter, together the E48 and E38 constituted the E96 cluster bombE96 cluster bomb
The E96 cluster bomb was an American anti-personnel biological cluster bomb developed in 1950.-History:A February 24, 1950 report prepared by William M. Creasy, a colonel in the Army Chemical Corps' Research and Engineering Division, characterized the E96 cluster bomb as in the final stages of...
. In practice, the E96 and its payload of E48 sub-munitions was intended to be air-dropped from 35,000 feet. The weapon could generate an elliptical aerosol agent cloud from this altitude that had major axes of 3,000 and 8,000 feet. Some of the agents considered for use with the E48 included, B. suis, 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...
, and botulin.
Tests involving the E48
The E48 sub-munition was utilized in tests at Dugway Proving GroundDugway Proving Ground
Dugway Proving Ground is a US Army facility located approximately 85 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah in southern Tooele County and just north of Juab County...
in July and August 1950. The July tests released Bacillus globigii from the E48 using air-dropped cluster bombs. The August tests utilized the bacteria Serratia marcescens
Serratia marcescens
Serratia marcescens is a species of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium in the family Enterobacteriaceae. A human pathogen, S. marcescens is involved in nosocomial infections, particularly catheter-associated bacteremia, urinary tract infections and wound infections, and is responsible for 1.4% of...
, and involved E48s which dispersed the agent statically, from the ground.