The M134 bomblet was a U.S. chemical sub-munition designed for use in the Honest John rocket during the 1950s. The weapon was never mass-produced and was supplanted in 1964 by an improved design, the M139

M139 bomblet

The M139 bomblet was a U.S. sub-munition designed for use in warheads as a chemical cluster bomb. Each bomblet held a little more than one and a quarter pounds of sarin nerve agent.-History:...

.

History

The M134 bomblet, developed as the E130, or E130R1 bomblet, began development in the early 1950s. While the weapon was not yet battle-ready, or ready for mass-production, in 1960, work on the bomblet dated back to at least 1953. By 1964 the bomblet design had been improved and the smaller M139 was adapted for use with the rocket warheads utilized by the M134. Thus, the M134 was never mass-produced; by the time the missile warhead and the M134 were ready for production they had been supplanted.

Specifications

The M134 bomblet was designed for the M190 Honest John rocket warhead. The bomblets carried sarin

Sarin

Sarin, or GB, is an organophosphorus compound with the formula [2CHO]CH3PF. It is a colorless, odorless liquid, which is used as a chemical weapon. It has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction in UN Resolution 687...

 nerve agent

Nerve agent

Nerve agents are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals that disrupt the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to organs...

 and when the missile was fired the bomblets were released 5,000 feet above their target. When the time came for the sub-munitions to be released a mechanical time fuze would cut the warhead's skin and the bomblets were released. The weapon could effectively saturate an area 1,000 meters in diameter with chemical agent.

The Honest John held 356 of the 115 mm M134s. The spherical M134 was 4.5 inches around and constructed of ribbed steel, its interior held about 1.1. pounds of sarin (GB). The U.S. Army Chemical Corps originally planned to use the M134 as a VX

VX (nerve agent)

VX, IUPAC name O-ethyl S-[2-ethyl] methylphosphonothioate, is an extremely toxic substance whose only application is in chemical warfare as a nerve agent. As a chemical weapon, it is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations in UN Resolution 687...

 dissemination method as well, but later regarded this use as ineffective and scrapped the plan.

Issues

The warhead meant to carry the M134 was classified and went into production on April 14, 1960, the M134, however, was not ready for production at that time. The M134 had a host of issues which impeded its development. Problems with the fuze system, and a tendency toward unacceptable pressure build-up in filled munitions were among the problems encountered during development. The problems with the M134 delayed the rocket delivered nerve agent program. By 1964 the M139 bomblet

M139 bomblet

The M139 bomblet was a U.S. sub-munition designed for use in warheads as a chemical cluster bomb. Each bomblet held a little more than one and a quarter pounds of sarin nerve agent.-History:...

was ready for production. The M139 was superior to the M134, its glide angle of 22° allowed it better agent coverage.