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Blast Munition
Use the rapid expansion of gases released by a detonating high explosive compound inside the munition to generate explosive power. Blast munitions are often considered general-purpose munitions and large examples can have powerful and widespread effects on targets such as structures and personnel.
Analyst Note:
Based on design features and an estimation of the munition’s apparent size relative to the personnel handling it, this image appears to show a 122 mm surface-to-surface rocket fitted with a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead, although the specific model and country of origin are unclear. In Sudan there have been reports of Russian, Chinese, and domestically produced (Taka-02) 122 mm rockets being used. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The tank visible in the background of the image appears to be a Chinese VT-4 (MBT-3000) model. The VT-4 is manufactured by Norinco and is intended primarily for export. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the launch of an Iranian Paveh surface-to-surface cruise missile in Iraq. The munition was fired by Iranian proxy forces and reportedly targeting Israel. Some sources indicate the Paveh has been renamed the ‘Jamal-10’, whilst others claim it is being locally produced in Iraq by Iranian proxy forces. With an estimated 75% of the missile’s components coming from outside Iran, distributed production is certainly possible. The missile has two large wings located forward of the munition’s midpoint, three smaller fins towards the tail, and four actuated fins around the tail. The initial launch is accomplished with a solid-propellant rocket motor, which gives way to a turbo jet flight motor mounted on top of the missile, towards the tail. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Highlighted are four GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) guided air-delivered bombs loaded onto the belly of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. The GBU-31-series consists of a 2,000-pound-class bomb (Mk 84, BLU-109, or BLU-109A/B) and a guidance kit comprising a tail unit with four articulating fins and a guidance control unit with inertial navigation system (INS) and global positioning system (GPS) functions. The GBU-31 munitions seen here are built around the BLU-109, a penetrator munition with a solid nose and a thicker, one-piece body which flares slightly at the base. It has no body welds; the heavy steel base plate is held in place by an equally robust threaded steel closure ring. The BLU-109 is painted olive drab with a single yellow band towards the nose. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the ‘manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle’ (MaRV; a detachable, steerable payload section) of an Iranian ballistic missile loaded with submunitions. It appears there are three different models of submunition loaded into the MaRV (black, blue, and red). The black and blue submunitions are most likely anti-personnel designs, whilst the red submunitions (indicated by a red box) are likely designed with penetrating or shaped-charge warheads to target vehicles or structures. Some submunitions may utilise time-delay fuzing, allowing for random detonations over several hours or days to hamper clearance efforts, denying use of the afflicted area. Reports have shown Iran has used ballistic missiles with mixed submunition loads, and suggest that this type of warhead can scatter its payload up to a radius of 8 km. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a screenshot from one of the videos released by the Kuwait Civil Aviation showing a one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) striking the Kuwait International Airport. The munition’s distinctive delta-wing configuration and general size, shape, and manner of flight are consistent with the Shahed series of OWA UAVs. The related entry shows a Mado MD550 engine recovered following this strike, a model used to power the Shahed-136 series, enabling a more precise identification. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an external portion of an Israeli Ra'am Eitan missile, a type of cluster munition fired from the Lahav (PULS) mobile rocket launcher. The yellow diamonds marked on the exterior of the munition are used to indicate a cluster munition. Other markings appear to indicate that this example was manufactured in 2017. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The component pictured here is a small turbofan engine from a Tomahawk missile. Missiles are vertically launched from the Typhon Missile System (named for a monster of Greek mythology), which is also capable of launching the Standard SM-6 guided missile. The Tomahawk missile is ejected from its launch tube under gas pressure, then the solid propellant of the booster motor section (Mk 135 booster produced by L3Harris) propels the missile until the turbofan engine (F107-WR-402 for Block III/IV or F415 for Block IV/V, both produced by Williams International) in the propulsion section is initiated and the booster motor section drops away. The propulsion section also supports the four tail fins, which are released by the two-piece continuity shroud upon launch. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an AGM-114R2 Hellfire II missile. The AGM-114R2 is an enhanced version of the the AGM-114R multi-role missile, which is designed to engage a wide variety of targets. The Hellfire R-series missile are equipped with a multi-purpose warhead that can engage armoured or unarmoured vehicles on land or sea, as well as personnel in the open or in buildings. Reports indicate that the AGM-114R2 features improvements to its guidance software and tracking to increase accuracy against moving targets, as well as incorporating an adjustable height-of-burst (HOB) capability which allows it to detonate at a pre-determined height above the ground. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
A BLU-91/B GATOR anti-vehicle landmine is seen in this image, with the remains of an aeroballistic adaptor visible. BLU-91/B mines can be deployed from cluster bombs or from vehicle-mounted dispensers, however the presence of the square aeroballistic adaptor here indicates that this example was deployed from an air-delivered cluster bomb. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image depicts what appears to be a WDU-42/B penetrator warhead as used in the AGM-158 JASSM series of missiles. The WDU-42/B is a 1,000-pound-class blast/fragmentation penetrator warhead designed to destroy hardened or reinforced targets. At the rear of the warhead, an FMU-156/B fuze is visible. This fuze is pre-programmed before launch according to the type of intended target. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This munition, believed to be of Israeli origin, has been documented at a number of strike sites in Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran. Although distinctive remnants permit its tentative identification, the lack of a confirmed model name means this munition has been assigned a Temporary Munitions Identifier (TMID) by ARES. This appears in the Tentative Model field of the OSMP so that all records of this munition in the database can be linked under one temporary name. (ARES)
