M29 cluster bomb
Encyclopedia
The M29 cluster bomb was a 500 lbs cluster bomb
used by the United States Air Force
during World War II
against troops, unarmoured vehicles and artillery. The weapon contained ninety 4 lbs M83 fragmentation
submunitions - a direct copy of the earlier German Butterfly Bomb
- in 9 ten-bomb "wafers". The M28 was a 100 lbs equivalent of the M29 containing 24 bomblets.
Both bombs contained a mechanical time fuze that could be set to open the cluster at a preselected time between 5 and 92 seconds by triggering a burster charge. The case sides and ends sprung open, allowing the bomblets to fall out. The case sides were cup-shaped to retard the fall of the bomb. The manual warns that "Use of the M131 fuze is not recommended in areas that are expected to be occupied by friendly forces as they constitute a potential booby trap
".
Cluster bomb
A cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller sub-munitions. Commonly, this is a cluster bomb that ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles...
used by the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
against troops, unarmoured vehicles and artillery. The weapon contained ninety 4 lbs M83 fragmentation
Fragmentation (weaponry)
Fragmentation is the process by which the casing of an artillery shell, bomb, grenade, etc. is shattered by the detonating high explosive filling. The correct technical terminology for these casing pieces is fragments , although shards or splinters can be used for non-preformed fragments...
submunitions - a direct copy of the earlier German Butterfly Bomb
Butterfly Bomb
A Butterfly Bomb, or was a German 2 kilogram anti-personnel submunition used by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. It was so named because the thin cylindrical metal outer shell which hinged open when the bomblet deployed gave it the superficial appearance of a large butterfly...
- in 9 ten-bomb "wafers". The M28 was a 100 lbs equivalent of the M29 containing 24 bomblets.
Both bombs contained a mechanical time fuze that could be set to open the cluster at a preselected time between 5 and 92 seconds by triggering a burster charge. The case sides and ends sprung open, allowing the bomblets to fall out. The case sides were cup-shaped to retard the fall of the bomb. The manual warns that "Use of the M131 fuze is not recommended in areas that are expected to be occupied by friendly forces as they constitute a potential booby trap
Anti-handling device
An anti-handling device is an attachment to or integral part of a landmine or other munition e.g. some fuze types found in air-dropped bombs such as the M83, cluster bombs and sea mines. It is specifically designed to prevent tampering. When the protected device is disturbed it detonates, killing...
".