101–200 of 317
Analyst Note:
This image shows a remnant of a control fin from a Paveway III bomb guidance kit that is compatible with 2,000-pound-class air-delivered bombs. In U.S. service, this combination receives designations in the GBU-24 series. Based off this remnant alone, it cannot be determined which model of air-delivered bomb was paired with this particular guidance kit. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows markings on an SUU-30H/B dispenser which comprises part of a CBU-52B/B Cluster Bomb Unit, including a National Stock Number (“NSN 1325 00 477 2053-E800”), design reference (“AF DRAWING NO: 716514-10”), total explosive weight of the submunitions (“CYCLOTOL: 133 LBS:”), lot number (“LOT NO: MA-77G246-002”), and serial number (“SERIAL NO: EE-97391”). This lot number indicates that this CBU-52B/B was manufactured at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant in the U.S. in July 1977. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows part of an SUU-30H/B dispenser (cargo munition) that comprises part of the CBU-52B/B ‘Cluster Bomb Unit’. A CBU-52B/B comprises a SUU-30H/B dispenser that is loaded with 217 BLU-61A/B anti-personnel submunitions. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows one of two tail fin sections that are attached to an SUU-30H/B air-delivered dispenser (cargo munition). Similar tail fins are used in other variants of the SUU-30 series dispensers. The SUU-30H/B can be used in various ‘Cluster Bomb Units’ including variants of the CBU-52, CBU-58, and CBU-71 munitions. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a remnant of an SUU-30H/B air-delivered dispenser (cargo munition), that comprised a CBU-58A/B ‘Cluster Bomb Unit’ (CBU). The CBU-58A/B carries 650 BLU-63A/B anti-personnel submunitions, that have a total explosive weight of 163 lbs (~74 kg) of COMP B explosive; this is reflected in the visible markings. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a remnant of the control fin of a GBU-24 (as seen partially marked), the designation for the combination of a Paveway III guidance kit paired with a 2,000-pound-class air-delivered bomb. This remnant is not enough to determine which model of bomb the kit was originally paired with. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Although Human Rights Watch reported that they found manufacturing markings on a guidance fin assembly indicating that this MXU-series aerofoil group was paired with a Paveway III guidance kit, this cannot be determined by this wing remnant from the aerofoil group alone. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a variety of small air-delivered munitions that have been developed specifically for deployment via UAV. Some of these appear to be original designs, whilst others have been made by modifying existing munitions. This entry reflects those munitions outlined with the red box, but all of the munitions are generally of similar in size and format, and all have tailfin assemblies intended to orient the munition as it falls, just like more traditional air-delivered bombs. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows three sets of three PTM-1 series scatterable anti-vehicle mines taped together. While these mines have likely been repurposed from their original delivery munition to be delivered via UAV, this cannot be confirmed based off this image alone. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The warhead of the OWA UAV indicated in this image cannot be positively identified from this photograph alone. It appears to be the warhead section of either an OG-9 series or OG-15 series high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) projectile, with a GO-2 or similar impact fuze fitted in the nose. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a Mikholit glide bomb, with its warhead removed (green cylinder on the left side of the box). The fins that spring outward when deploye have been taped down. This Mikholit was reportedly recovered by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Hamas, who had captured the bomb after it failed to function when originally deployed by the IDF. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows two Mikholit air-delivered bombs (‘glide bombs’), and four Mikholit warheads. There are at least two different variants of warheads available for the Mikholit glide bomb. The green cylinder on the left is a blast (high explosive) warhead, whilst the other three warheads are shaped charge warheads which incorporate additional fragmentation. Blast warheads of this type have also been seen with red markings, while the shaped charge warheads have been seen with yellow markings. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a remnant of the aft motor section, which includes the venturi nozzle, of a North Korean KN-23/KN-24/Hwasong-11 series missile. The KN-23/KN-24/Hwasong-11 has a generally similar appearance to the Russian 9M7 ‘Iskander’ series of ballistic missiles, but has differences in performance and in some aspects of the construction. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM; ‘Modular Air-to-Ground Armament’) family of French bolt-on guidance kits are fitted to air-delivered bombs of various sizes in a similar fashion to American JDAM kits. In some marketing materials, the acronym HAMMER is used, standing for ‘Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range’. This refers, in part, to the rocket boosters fitted to munitions in the family to extend their effective range. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
In this photo, a Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-25 ground-attack aircraft from the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade, with the bort number ‘Blue 28’, is seen carrying an AASM-250 guided air-delivered bomb under its left wing. Available imagery shows that the AASM-250 has also been fitted to Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft, and can likely be carried by the Sukhoi Su-27 as well. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows part of the SUU-66 dispenser (sometimes called a ‘shell’) that forms part of a CBU-105 D/B cluster bomb unit. In U.S. service, a ‘cluster bomb unit’ designation includes both the dispenser or shell, as well as the payload.
The CBU-105 series of cluster munitions consists of CBU-97-series munitions that are modified with a WCMD (Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser) guidance kit. Both CBU-97 and CBU-105 series munitions are made-up of an SUU-66 dispenser filled with 10 BLU-108 submunitions. Each BLU-108 submunition contains 4 ‘skeet’ warheads that are ejected mid-air and independently seek out targets using an infrared sensor. A single skeet weighs 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) and contains a copper explosively formed penetrator (EFP) for armour penetration that is surrounded by a fragmentation ring offering some anti-personnel effect. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Whilst relatively little is known about Burmese air-delivered bombs from publicly available sources, researchers (including those at ARES and Myanmar Witness) have been collecting evidence based on munitions’ physical features and markings. Combined with information from confidential sources, this has allowed for the tentative identification of several models. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an SUU-30H/B, an air-delivered dispenser which can be configured to carry different submunition payloads. These can include 217 BLU-61 A/B, 650 BLU-63/B, or 650 BLU-86/B or BLU-86 A/B. The munition can also carry inert payloads. The specific combination of payload and dispenser determines the ‘Cluster Bomb Unit’ (CBU) designation, with SUU-30H/B dispensers being paired with different payloads to form the CBU-58 and CBU-71 series. Contextual information suggests that this dispenser was part of a CBU-58/B cluster munition, but this cannot be established from an assessment of this image alone. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The arming vane for a nose fuze (painted red) is visible on each of the two leftmost MAB-10B6 air-delivered bombs in this image. As the bomb falls, air passing over the arming vane causes it to spin, arming the fuze. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The circles in this image indicate where the fixed fin assembly is connected to the bomb body. Fin assemblies such as this help stabilise the bomb as it falls, improving the predictability of the trajectory and thus precision. Fins also orient the bomb as it falls so that munition travels nose-down. Orientation of the bomb on impact can play a role in fuze functioning, as well as the distribution of explosive or other effects. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This Iranian 60 mm mortar projectile is of the ‘Long Range’ type described without a specific model name in various Iranian export catalogues and other sources. The designation as marked on projectiles and packaging is variable, with observed formulations including “60mm H.E. L.R.”, “60mm H.E L.R”, and “60mm HE L.R”. Sometimes, as here, “60mm L.R” is followed by “HE / TNT”. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows what is probably just the body of an Israeli 155 mm smoke artillery projectile. Israel predominantly uses two varieties of 155 mm smoke munition: the M825 white phosphorous (WP) series of munitions, and the M150 hexachloroethane/zinc mixture (HC) munition. These munitions are externally near-identical, save for their markings. In this case, the markings are insufficient to determine whether the image shows an M825-series WP munition or an M150 HC munition. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The 9Н123К (9N123K) cargo warhead is delivered by a 9М79К (9M79K) series surface-to-surface guided missile. This cluster munition carries fifty 9Н24 (9N24) high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) submunitions, and is launched from the 9К79 Tochka series of tactical ballistic missile launchers. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
A 9N24 submunition is visible to the left of the 9N123K warhead in this image. This high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) submunition is marked to indicate it was produced in 1989 and filled with A-IX-2 explosive composition. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This M107 high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectile is fitted with an RT180 multi-function fuze. The RT180 can be set to operate in point-detonating or proximity modes. The factory setting for the proximity fuze detonates the warheads an average of 9 metres above the target. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems SPICE 1000 guidance kit is fitted to MK 83-series 1,000-pound unguided air-delivered bombs to convert them to precision guided munitions. Like the JDAM-ER, it has a deployable wings to provide a ‘gliding’ attack trajectory. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The BLU-117 air-delivered bomb is nearly identical in format to the more common MK 84, but uses the PBXN-109 explosive filler which is more insensitive than the typical explosive compositions found in MK 80-series bombs. The BLU-117 is also coated with a grey, thermally resistant paint, and marked with three yellow bands (as opposed to the green paint with two yellow bands found on standard MK 80-series bombs). These changes were requested by the U.S. Navy for safer storage of these munitions aboard ships. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This 9M27K-series surface-to-surface cargo rocket is carrying a payload of 9N210 or 9N235 high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) submunitions. These submunitions are difficult to distinguish unless their external markings are visible, or a close examination is made. (ARES)
2 Analyst Notes:
The JDAM-ER in this photograph is affixed to an unusual pylon thought to be of Ukrainian design, which allows the Western munition to be carried by the Soviet-designed Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft in service with the Ukrainian Air Force (a MiG-29 is pictured here). (ARES)
3 Analyst Notes:
This is an image released by the Israeli Defense Forces that shows an F-15I of 69 Squadron Israeli Air Force preparing to take part in a high-profile airstrike on 27 September 2024, in which the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed.
Analyst Note:
The M117 series of air-delivered bombs were historically referred to as ‘demolition bombs’, due to the more substantial blast effect they offer in comparison with so-called ‘general-purpose bombs’. This is achieved through the use of more energetic explosive compositions, such as Tritonal or Minol, which incorporate an oxidiser (typically aluminium powder). Today, munitions using such compositions are sometimes considered in the loose category of ‘enhanced blast munitions’, but the distinction between demolition and general-purpose bombs has largely disappeared. (ARES)
