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 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)
This image shows a Russian spherical submunition of unknown designation. Whilst this specific example was delivered by a cluster munition variant of the Kh-59MK2 missile, this submunition is known to also be delivered by variants of the Kh-69. A similar, but different, spherical submunition is delivered by some variants of the Kh-101. (ARES)
This image shows a Mikholit that was ejected from the weapons pod of an Israeli Hermes 900 drone that was downed in Iran. This Hermes 900 drone had two weapons pod, each capable of carrying 4 Mikholit bombs. (ARES)
This image shows a unexploded Iranian submunition pictured in an awareness poster made by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command. The poster warns people to not touch or disturb the submunition. The IDF reported that about 20 of these submunitions were deployed by a single Iranian ballistic missile, spreading over a radius of 8 kilometres. (ARES)
This image shows an unexploded submunition that was deployed by an Iranian medium-range ballistic missile over Israel. Inert variants of these submunitions were previously observed in an Iranian city following a failed missile test. (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)
The Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code marked on this data plate (“0S9G9”) is a now-obsolete code assigned to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the manufacturer of the Mikholit air-delivered bomb. (ARES)
This image shows the guidance control unit from an Israeli 'Chameleon 3’ bomb guidance kit. This kit appears similar to those in the Israeli Lizard series of guidance kits, which are derived from the American-designed Paveway kit series. (ARES).
This is the data plate fitted to an Israeli Air Force bomb guidance kit. It reads “3 זִקִית” (‘Zikit 3’, or ‘Chameleon 3’ in English). As of May 2025, there is no public information available about this model of bomb guidance kit, but it appears to be a derivative or variant of the Israeli Lizard series, which are derived from the American Paveway bomb guidance kit. (ARES)
This image shows the damaged aerofoil group, or ‘tail kit’, found with a Chameleon 3 bomb guidance kit. The exact model of aerofoil group is unknown, but in US service similar component groups are given a designation in the ‘MXU-xxx’ range, and are interchangeable with different variants of the Paveway bomb guidance kit (within bomb weight classes). (ARES).
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
This image shows three different warheads developed by Russia for the Shahed-136/Geran-2 one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), each of which differ from the original warhead designed by Iran for the Shahed-136. Left: A thermobaric explosive warhead; Middle: TBBCh-50M, a thermobaric explosive warhead; Right: OFZBCh-50, a high explosive warhead with an incendiary effect. Each of these warheads is also fitted with a fragmentation liner to increase the fragmentation effect generated when the warhead detonates. Some of the fragmentation liners may contain zirconium, a metal which is ignited when the warhead detonates, providing an additional incendiary effect. (ARES)
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)
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)
This image shows the rear fin section that is attached to a M-302/Khaibar-1/Fadi series rockets to add guidance capabilities. This rear fin section is installed, along with a forward control section between the warhead and the rocket motor. The guided munition, now classified as a missile, is referred to as a Nasr-1/Nasr-2. A similar, but larger, rear fin section is fitted to Zelzal rockets to convert them to guided munitions. (ARES).
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)
This image shows the copper cone of the shaped charge located at the front of the warhead fitted to a Shahed-131. The Ukrainian armed forces have recorded that the cone measures 111 mm in diameter and 162 mm in depth. The warhead is lined with cubic pre-formed fragments of 7 mm in diameter. The explosive content of the warhead is estimated to be between 10 and 15 kg. (ARES)
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)