Key features defining the operation mechanisms of a projectile
Mechanical Feature (10)
Whether a munition is guided or unguided
Guidance (2)
Where the munition is launched from and what it targets
Domain (7)
The type of fins visible on the munition
Fins Characteristic (5)
The nominal diameter of a projectile. For most modern munitions, this is expressed in millimetres (e.g. 82 mm mortar projectile), but older artillery gun projectiles may be described in inches.
This image shows a remnant of the control section of the Arrow 2 ‘kill vehicle’, including the control fins. The blast-fragmentation warhead is located in the front section of the kill vehicle, forward of the control section, and is absent here due to the functioned state of the munition. (ARES)
This image shows the rocket motor of an AGM-114 "Hellfire" series guided missile found in Jordan during the 12 day conflict between Israel and Iran. This specific Hellfire missile is likely an air-to-air "C-UAS" variant used to intercept one-way attack drones, such as those launched by Iran towards Israel, rather than the more common air-to-surface Hellfire missile variants. (ARES)
This image shows a improvised rocket-assisted munition (IRAM). This particular munition consists of a 107 mm rocket motor with an industrial gas cylinder fitted in place of the standard warhead. The frost present on the cylinder indicates a pressurised gas was released. The yellow–green residue is consistent with a payload of chlorine gas. (ARES)
This image shows one of the two improvised air-delivered munitions (IADMs) containing a chemical payload used in an attack by the Syrian Arab Air Force on 7 April 2018 in Douma, Syria. This image shows how the IADM comprises a cradle surrounding an industrial gas cylinder. These cradles typically incorporate fins, wheels, and lifting lugs. The fins and the wheels of the cradle can be seen in this image (ARES)
This image shows a conventional 122 mm high explosive artillery projectile that has been modified to carry a chemical payload. It is one of several used in an attack by the so-called ‘Islamic State’ on the town of Marea, Syria. The black substance on the ground is suggestive of low-purity sulphur mustard, a chemical warfare agent. (ARES)
This image shows an impact crater, as well as remnants of the frame or ‘cradle’ (red box) that was fitted to the gas cylinder. Cradles associated with this type of Syrian Government chemical munition typically feature fins to help orient the cylinder as it falls, and features to assist with loading the cylinders into aircraft for deployment, such as wheels and lifting lugs. (ARES)
This image shows an industrial gas cylinder that was reportedly dropped by a helicopter over Kafr Zeita on 1 October 2016. The gas cylinder ruptured on impact with the ground, dispersing its payload of chlorine gas. (ARES)
This image shows two BLU-108 submunitions. Each BLU-108 contains 4 smaller submunitions, or ‘skeets’. The BLU-108 at the top has deployed all four skeets, while the bottom example has two skeets still attached. The BLU-108 is fitted with a parachute that is deployed after the submunition separates from its dispenser (e.g., the CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon) to slow its descent, as well as a rocket motor that is thereafter fired to increase the munition’s altitude before it deploys the skeets. Each skeet is able to independently seek out targets using an infrared sensor. (ARES)
This image shows fragments of a BLU-109C/B 2,000-pound penetrator bomb. The remnant with visible threads is part of the aft closure ring attached to the base of the bomb. This features nine vent holes as an ‘insensitive munition’ (IM) safety feature. Three of the threaded vent holes are visible on this fragment. (ARES)
This image shows a remnant of the tail actuator subsystem of a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bomb guidance kit. The size of this JDAM kit indicates that it is one of the kits compatible with 2,000-pound-class bombs, either the MK-84 or BLU-109. (ARES)
This image shows an AR731-4000 Wankel-type engine produced by UAV Engines Ltd. of the United Kingdom, used in an Israeli Harop munition. Variants of the Harop used in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War featured a similar Wankel engine, but were marked to indicate a different manufacturer and model name: “MBT ENGINE” and “H2251-5100-503”, respectively. (ARES)
This image shows the remnants of a SkyStriker one-way attack UAV, manufactured by Elbit Systems of Israel. The SkyStriker can be fitted with various warhead options, including dual-purpose warheads weighing 5 or 10 kilograms. While it appears that a reconstruction was attempted with the remnants, the placement of the various components does not accurately represent an intact SkyStriker. (ARES)
The JROF and JROF-K are Czech derivatives of the Soviet 122 mm ‘Grad’ series of surface-to-surface rockets. The JROF-K is the shorter, reduced-range variant, broadly analogous to the Soviet 9M22M. (ARES)
This image shows the nosecone from an Israeli SPICE 250 air-delivered bomb. Whilst generally similar in appearance to the nosecone of the GBU-39, the SPICE 250 nosecone is longer and narrower. (ARES)
This image shows the flare from a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system's ‘Talon’ kinetic interceptor missile. The flare is located at the aft end of the missile's booster engine. The ‘petals’ of the flare are initially flush, and are actuated into the deployed position, seen here, as part of the missile‘s functioning. (ARES)
This image shows a fragment of the “inner petal assembly” of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system’s ‘Talon’ interceptor missile. The part number for the assembly (“23917ASSY1A62803-101 REV.E / E”), Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code (“07554”), manufacturer abbreviation (“CTL”), and serial number (“S/N DDLKD”) are visible. This CAGE code and manufacturer abbreviation are associated with CTL Aerospace Inc, a subcontractor for Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the THAAD system. It is not uncommon for complex munitions to be made by several different manufacturers, and thus multiple CAGE codes may be present as a result of the various subcontractors. (ARES)
This image shows various remnants from GBU-39 air-delivered bombs, including two fuze wells. Each GBU-39 has only a single fuze well, indicating that this picture shows the remnants of at least two different GBU-39 bombs. (ARES)
This image and the related entries show fragments of an AGM-84 Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) series missile. AGM-84 SLAM-ER missiles are AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missiles (SLAM) that incorporate certain upgrades, including wings to increase the missile's range. The AGM-84 series include the anti-ship ‘Harpoon’ variants, from which the SLAM and SLAM-ER series are derived. As a result, many remnants will be similar or identical between variants. The wing remnant here is diagnostic, however. (ARES)
