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 (6)
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 the bottom of an MS 3314 suspension lug, which is installed on the MK 81 250-pound-class, MK 82 500-pound-class, and MK 83 1,000-pound-class air-delivered bombs. The remnants of the guidance kit in the related entry indicate that, in this case, the lug was fitted to a MK 83 1,000-pound-class bomb. “A4447” is the CAGE code for the manufacturer of the suspension lug, RWM Italia. (ARES)
This image shows various remnants of an air-delivered bomb and a Paveway guidance kit. The blue pen provides a scale indicator, which is necessary to identify which variant of aerofoil (‘airfoil’) group the tail fins belonged to. In this case, they are most likely from an MXU-650-series airfoil group, which are paired with MK-82 500-pound-class bombs. (ARES)
This image shows some of the markings on a MK 84 2000-pound-class air-delivered bomb, including model designation (“BOMB MK 84 MOD 4”), weight class (“2000 LBS”), part number (“PART NO 30…03 923AS105”), and production lot (“LOT NO GDT 17 …00…”). Many countries produce MK 80-series bombs, so markings such as lot numbers can determine the country of production. “GDT 17” in the lot number indicates that this munition was produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, an American company, in 2017. The Israeli Air Force announced they carried out the specific strike associated with this image, which indicates that this specific bomb was transferred to the Israeli Air Force. (ARES)
This image shows a remnant of a JDAM tail kit that was paired with a MK 84 2,000-pound-class air-delivered bomb. The CAGE code (“OUVG2”) for Aeroantenna Technology, an American manufacturer of GPS components for guidance systems, is visible on the wiring. (ARES)
This image shows an Israeli-made 122 mm rocket motor found following a strike on Amr School in Gaza City. Although it is not possible to be definitive from this image alone, it is likely that this rocket motor was part of an Israeli ‘Bar’ missile, a guided munition designed for precision strikes in urban areas that uses a 122 mm rocket motor. (ARES)
This image shows the remnants of an unknown Israeli munition that was used in a strike on Nasser hospital. Reporting on these strikes often refers to this munition as a ‘drone’. The turbojet engine, along with possible wing remnants, indicate that this could be a one-way-attack (OWA) UAV or ‘loitering munition’ missile, consistent with reporting. This same model of munition has been used multiple times in strikes in Gaza, as well as Lebanon and Syria. There is no publicly acknowledged Israeli munition that closely fits these remnants. Entries 1384, 1385, 1386, and 1389 capture other incidents in which this munition was used. (ARES)
This image shows the remnants of an unknown Israeli munition that was used in a strike that hit the Nasser hospital in Gaza. The turbojet engine, along with possible wing remnants indicate that this could be a one-way attack UAV or ‘loitering munition’, consistent with some reporting on the strikes. This same model of munition has been used in multiple strikes in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and Syria. There is no publicly disclosed Israeli munition that neatly matches these remnants. OSMP entries 1384, 1385, 1386, and 1389 show other incidents in which this munition appears to have been used. (ARES)
This image shows part of a Russian Kh-59MK2 missile that is fitted with a cluster munition warhead. Some of the grey spherical submunitions are visible, both inside and outside the warhead. (ARES)
This image shows a remnant of the guidance control unit from a Paveway- or Lizard-series bomb guidance kit. The guidance control fins are marked “FOR USE ON MK82” indicating that this guidance control unit was paired with a MK 82-series 500-pound-class bomb. (ARES)
This image shows remnants of two different rocket motors from AGM-114 series Hellfire missiles. While it cannot be determined by these entries alone, images of the damage from the strike associated with this image, gathered by Mwatana, indicate that both of these AGM-114 missiles were the kinetic AGM-114R9X variant. (ARES)
This image shows one of the actuated fins of a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kit. The manufacturer CAGE code (“76301”) and the part number (“70P862100-1005”) are visible. This CAGE code corresponds to Boeing, the manufacturer of the JDAM guidance kit, while the part number corresponds to a fin of a JDAM kit compatible with MK-84 and BLU-109 2,000-pound-class air-delivered bombs. (ARES).
This image shows a remnant of the tail actuation section of a SPICE 250 guided bomb. The control fins are normally attached to this section, and the attachment point for one control fin is visible. (ARES)
This image shows a variety of remnants from an Israeli SPICE 250 guided bomb. One of the bomb’s four control fins is visible at the bottom-left of the image. (ARES)
This image shows a remnant of the outer casing of the “S250 OPTIC” or SPICE 250 guided bomb, with the markings relatively intact. The markings on this remnant show that, while classified as a 250-pound bomb, the actual weight of this SPICE 250 variant is 288 pounds (131 kg) with only 18.5 pounds (8.4 kg) of explosive material. (ARES)
This image shows the top of the booster of an Arrow 3 interceptor missile, where it connects to the kill vehicle. The Arrow 3 was jointly developed by the United States and Israel, and first entered service in 2017. The date of manufacture marking (“DATE OF MFG: 05/2018”) indicates that this booster was produced in the year after the Arrow 3 first entered service. (ARES)
This image shows the booster of an Israeli Arrow 3 interceptor missile. The Arrow 3 is designed to engage ballistic missiles and is capable of exo-atmospheric interceptions. Once the booster is expended, it separates from the ‘kill vehicle’. The kill vehicle has a sustainer motor that propels it towards the incoming ballistic missile, and uses kinetic impact, rather than an explosive warhead, to disable or destroy its target. This is sometimes called the ‘hit-to-kill’ principle. (ARES)
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)
The source for this entry reports that these remnants were left behind after the missiles were “recycled“. Explosive remnants of war (ERW) are often recycled for the value of their scrap metal, or ‘harvested’ by militant groups for the explosive material. These recycling attempts may result in the ERW exploding, potentially killing or injuring people. (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)