101–200 of 433
Current Filter
Undelivered Munition
Munitions that have not been employed from their delivery vehicles. This could mean they remains stored, unfired, or are about to be fired.
Analyst Note:
This image shows a Hydra-70 rocket fitted with an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kit, converting it into a guided missile. In this case, the missile features an M151 high explosive (HE) warhead fitted with either an M427 or M423 point-detonating (PD) fuze. The rocket motor model cannot be determined from this source alone, but it is most likely to be a MK 66-series motor. The launcher appears to be a LAND-LGR4 model produced by Arnold Defense. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Positive identification of this surface-to-air missile cannot be made based on the imagery in the source. The items highlighted in this image are most likely the remains of either a 9M38- or 9M317-series missile, based on fin construction and their size relative to the individual posing in the foreground. These two missiles are close in design and function, and are predominantly fired from the Buk series of SAM systems. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a ‘120mm TB’ air-delivered bomb that has been adapted from a 120 mm mortar projectile. It is claimed by the manufacturer that this thermobaric munition offers improved fragmentation and blast effects when compared with standard (high explosive) 120 mm mortar projectiles. The “with special FUZE” marking refers to the use of the UT M18 impact fuze. Note that this munition cannot be fired from a mortar, despite the munition body showing features consistent with this use (e.g., gas-check bands). Instead of a standard mortar projectile tailboom which would contain an ignition cartridge and be perforated by flash holes, this munition is fitted with a simplified, plastic tailfin assembly that is designed to stabilise the munition as it falls after being released by a UAV. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The 9N314M warhead shown here can be used in both 9M38- and 9M317-series missiles. In this particular case, according to the source, it was taken from a 9M38M1 missile. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Although the source claims that this image shows a Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system, this imagery is not sufficient to determine whether the remnants highlighted are from a 9M38-or 9M317-series guided missile. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
In this case, the tentative identification of this munition is possible based on an analysis of its silhouette, particularly the distinctive detachable warhead compartment that can be seen hanging from the base of the munition's body. In many cases, such an identification technique would not be possible to apply with confidence. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image represents the first documented instance of a Shahed-series UAV carrying an R-60 air-to-air missile. This appears to add a new capability to the Shahed, enabling it to target enemy aircraft. Arming UAVs to counter interception and engage alternative targets is an emergent trend. Previously, unmanned surface vessels (USVs) employed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been observed carrying R-73 air-to-air missiles, for example. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an M49-series 60 mm high explosive (HE) mortar projectile, or a copy thereof. Due to the state of the round the available imagery, the specific model or variant cannot be determined. The fuze is also not clearly visible. Most M49 mortar projectiles use an M525, M717, M935, or similar point-detonating (PD) fuze. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows several 107 mm rockets of the Type 63 pattern. Whilst developed by China, munitions of this design are now produced by several countries around the world, including Iran, North Korea, and Sudan. The state-owned Military Industry Corporation (MIC) of Sudan produces a copy of the Type 63 known as the TAKA-01, TAKA-1, or TAKA-107. (ARES)
2 Analyst Notes:
This image shows 122 mm high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectiles manufactured in three different states, L–R: Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Whilst these examples are distinct from one another—particularly in coloration, as well as the presence or absence of paint over the driving band and bourrelet—this is not always the case, and a combination of physical features and markings should be assessed before identification is made. (ARES)
2 Analyst Notes:
This image shows 122 mm high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectiles manufactured in three different states, L–R: Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Whilst these examples are distinct from one another—particularly in coloration, as well as the presence or absence of paint over the driving band and bourrelet—this is not always the case, and a combination of physical features and markings should be assessed before identification is made. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a GBU-12 series guided bomb being loaded onto a F-35B belonging to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211. Two of the control fins have not yet been installed in the Paveway’s guidance control section. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a BLU-111 500-pound-class bomb paired with a Paveway II guidance kit, and an MXU-650 series airfoil group, or tail kit. This combination is designated the GBU-12 series in U.S. service. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This still taken from a video released by Iranian state media, shows a one-way-attack UAV purportedly manufactured by Israeli forces operating inside Iran. This UAV was found alongside manufacturing equipment, and additional UAV components, strongly suggesting that it was manufactured or assembled inside Iranian borders. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
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)
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:
The munition in this image has been integrated into a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) small UAV. This UAV (‘drone’) adds powered and guided delivery and converts the munition into a guided missile—regardless of the original, intended delivery method. (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 four PFM-1 series anti-personnel landmines retained by a release mechanism to enable deployment via UAV. Ordinarily, PFM-1 series and other ‘scatterable mines’ are deployed via carrier munitions or dedicated mine-dispensing devices. In Ukraine and other conflicts, these mines have often been removed from their original carrier munitions in order that they may be delivered via UAV. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows several GBU-53/B bombs photographed from above while on a munitions transport cart. GBU-53/B bombs are transported and loaded onto the aircraft with the wing assembly on the bottom. When the GBU-53/B is released from the aircraft, the bomb rotates, with the wing assembly side orienting as the top as the bomb glides to its target. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows two MAM-L guided air-delivered bombs affixed to the wing of a Bayraktar TB2 drone. The MAM-L and TB2 are both produced in Türkiye by Roketsan and Baykar respectively. The MAM-L can have one of three different warheads: blast fragmentation, anti-tank, or thermobaric. The warhead section of each MAM-L in this image has “YIPE/BF” visible. ‘YIPE’ is the abbreviation of the warhead type in Turkish: Yüksek Infilaklı Parçacık Etkili (‘high explosive fragmentation’, in English). The ‘BF’ also indicates that these MAM-L munitions are of the blast-fragmentation variant. The warhead of a MAM-L cannot be determined from an external assessment without viewing markings such as these (or a clear view of the data plate, which can be seen on the aft portion of the MAM-L). (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an American F/A-18 fighter aircraft armed with two AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) air-delivered bombs taking off to conduct strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen. The F/A-18 likely has two more AGM-154-series munitions carried on the opposite side of the aircraft, for a total of four bombs. The JSOW has multiple variants which are fitted with different warheads, including a submunition payload (AGM-154A and AGM-154B models), BLU-111 500-pound bomb (AGM-154A-1), and a Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge (BROACH) multi-stage penetrator warhead (AGM-154C or AGM-154C-1). All variants are externally identical without markings, with the exception that the AGM-154C and C-1 have a small reflective window on the bottom of the nose for the terminal infrared (IR) seeker. The munitions in the image are most likely AGM-154A-1 or AGM-154C-series bombs, due to the lack of reported submunitions following the strikes. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an Iranian M344 106 mm recoilless gun projectile. The M344 is a high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munition, containing a shaped charge that is designed to penetrate armour. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Two R-77 air-to-air missiles (NATO reporting name: AA-12 Adder) are carried in this photograph by a Russian Aerospace Forces Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft. Key markings, including the aircraft’s bort number (a coloured numeral that acts as a unit or base identifier), have been digitally obscured. (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 an Israeli Air Force F-16 carrying four Rampage air-to-ground missiles. The Rampage is a 580 kg (1,278 lb) missile with GPS and INS guidance. It carries a multi-purpose warhead that is designed for engaging a range of targets in the open as well as offering some degree of penetration. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This F-16I fighter aircraft from the Israeli Air Force is carrying a CATM-120 inert missile simulant (indicated). These devices are used for training purposes, being designed to replicate the weight and centre of gravity of a live munition. They lack any means of propulsion and are not released from the aircraft. The CATM-120 can be differentiated from the AIM-120 missile series by the presence of only blue bands on the missile, denoting both an inert rocket motor and an inert payload. A ‘live’ AIM-120 will have two brown bands on the rear section of the missile (the rocket motor), and a yellow band on the forward, or warhead, section. An AIM-120 with an inert warhead, but a live rocket motor, will have a blue band on the warhead and two brown bands on the rocket motor. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows three North Korean 120 mm high explosive (HE) mortar projectiles. (ARES).
Analyst Note:
This image shows a North Korean 120 mm high explosive (HE) mortar projectile next to an Iranian 120 mm HE mortar projectile. Despite both being the same calibre, the overall shapes and dimensions of the two projectiles are noticeably different. Factors such as payload weight and range can be affected significantly by projectile shape. (ARES)