Do not approach munitions
under any circumstances →
Country or territory where the image was reported

Reported Location (32)

Year the image is reported to have been taken

Year (19)

Classification groups of key explosive munitions used in conflicts

Munition Category (8)

The impact or effect the munition is intended to have

Functional use (9)

A broad term for a variety of different carrier munitions which contain and dispense submunitions - smaller munitions, sometimes called 'bomblets'.
Cluster Munition
✕
The specific model of munition pictured

Tentative Model (235)

Search

The external organisation that documented the munition

Research Organisation (6)

Colour of the munition pictured

Base Colour (11)

Colour of all, or some, of the markings on the munition

Marking Colour (10)

Language or script of the marking on a munition

Marking Script (9)

Condition of the munition pictured

Condition (6)

Key features defining the operation mechanisms of a projectile

Mechanical Feature (9)

Whether a munition is guided or unguided

Guidance (2)

Where the munition is launched from and what it targets

Domain (5)

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.

Calibre (61)

Weight class of the aerial bomb pictured

Weight Class (14)

× Clear all filters
93 results

Current Filter

Cluster Munition
Carrier munitions which contain and dispense submunitions (smaller munitions, sometimes called ‘'bomblets’'). Cluster munitions generally scatter their payload over a wide area, either to increase hit probability or for area-denial purposes. They can take the form of multiple munition categories. Some submunitions - especially older models, or those stored or employed incorrectly - can have a high dud rate, resulting in an enduring explosive hazard. More than 100 states have signed an international convention banning the use of cluster munitions - but not Russia, the United States, China, or Israel.
OSMP1555
Air-Delivered Bomb Yemen CBU-52B/B SUU-30H/B
Analyst Note:
This image shows markings on an SUU-30H/B dispenser which comprises part of a CBU-52B/B Cluster Bomb Unit, including a National Stock Number (“NSN 1325 00 477 2053-E800”), design reference (“AF DRAWING NO: 716514-10”), total explosive weight of the submunitions (“CYCLOTOL: 133 LBS:”), lot number (“LOT NO: MA-77G246-002”), and serial number (“SERIAL NO: EE-97391”). This lot number indicates that this CBU-52B/B was manufactured at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant in the U.S. in July 1977. (ARES)
OSMP1556
Air-Delivered Bomb Yemen CBU-52B/B SUU-30H/B
Analyst Note:
This image shows part of an SUU-30H/B dispenser (cargo munition) that comprises part of the CBU-52B/B ‘Cluster Bomb Unit’. A CBU-52B/B comprises a SUU-30H/B dispenser that is loaded with 217 BLU-61A/B anti-personnel submunitions. (ARES)
OSMP1554
Air-Delivered Bomb Yemen SUU-30H/B
Analyst Note:
This image shows one of two tail fin sections that are attached to an SUU-30H/B air-delivered dispenser (cargo munition). Similar tail fins are used in other variants of the SUU-30 series dispensers. The SUU-30H/B can be used in various ‘Cluster Bomb Units’ including variants of the CBU-52, CBU-58, and CBU-71 munitions. (ARES)
OSMP1545
Air-Delivered Bomb Yemen CBU-58A/B SUU-30H/B
Analyst Note:
This image shows a remnant of an SUU-30H/B air-delivered dispenser (cargo munition), that comprised a CBU-58A/B ‘Cluster Bomb Unit’ (CBU). The CBU-58A/B carries 650 BLU-63A/B anti-personnel submunitions, that have a total explosive weight of 163 lbs (~74 kg) of COMP B explosive; this is reflected in the visible markings. (ARES)
OSMP1035
Submunitions Yemen BLU-108
Analyst Note:
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)
OSMP1033
Air-Delivered Bomb Yemen CBU-105D/B
Analyst Note:
This image shows part of the SUU-66 dispenser (sometimes called a ‘shell’) that forms part of a CBU-105 D/B cluster bomb unit. In U.S. service, a ‘cluster bomb unit’ designation includes both the dispenser or shell, as well as the payload. The CBU-105 series of cluster munitions consists of CBU-97-series munitions that are modified with a WCMD (Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser) guidance kit. Both CBU-97 and CBU-105 series munitions are made-up of an SUU-66 dispenser filled with 10 BLU-108 submunitions. Each BLU-108 submunition contains 4 ‘skeet’ warheads that are ejected mid-air and independently seek out targets using an infrared sensor. A single skeet weighs 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) and contains a copper explosively formed penetrator (EFP) for armour penetration that is surrounded by a fragmentation ring offering some anti-personnel effect. (ARES)
OSMP32
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M27K Uragan series
Analyst Note:
This 9M27K-series surface-to-surface cargo rocket is loaded with either 9N210 or 9N235 high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) submunitions. These models are nearly identical in construction, differing primarily in the nature of the pre-formed fragments they carry. (ARES)
OSMP975
Air-Delivered Bomb Lebanon SUU-30H/B
Analyst Note:
This image shows an SUU-30H/B, an air-delivered dispenser which can be configured to carry different submunition payloads. These can include 217 BLU-61 A/B, 650 BLU-63/B, or 650 BLU-86/B or BLU-86 A/B. The munition can also carry inert payloads. The specific combination of payload and dispenser determines the ‘Cluster Bomb Unit’ (CBU) designation, with SUU-30H/B dispensers being paired with different payloads to form the CBU-58 and CBU-71 series. Contextual information suggests that this dispenser was part of a CBU-58/B cluster munition, but this cannot be established from an assessment of this image alone. (ARES)
OSMP928
Rocket or Missile Ukraine MGM-140 ATACMS series
Analyst Note:
This remnant of an MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) surface-to-surface ballistic missile is marked to indicate it is the MGM-140A variant, a cluster munition which carries 950 M74 multi-purpose submunitions. Submunitions of this type are sometimes referred to by the acronym ‘anti-personnel and anti‑materiel (APAM)’. Additional markings indicate a manufacturing date (“10/96”; October 1996), a serial number (“411240”), and other information. (ARES)
OSMP436
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M27 Uragan series
Analyst Note:
Almost all cluster munitions, including this example, expel their submunitions during flight. The submunitions are often held in an internal frame, such as that visible here, prior to being expelled. Depending on the munition, these internal frames may be diagnostic for identification. They usually do not carry a significant explosive payload in their own right, and therefore often withstand the functioning of the munition relatively intact. (ARES)
OSMP118
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M27K3
Analyst Note:
The 9M27K3 surface-to-surface rocket is fitted with the 9N128K3 cargo warhead (seen here). This warhead carries a payload of 312 PFM-1 or PFM-1S scatterable anti-personnel landmines. (ARES)
OSMP70
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M79K Tochka series
Analyst Note:
The 9Н123К (9N123K) cargo warhead is delivered by a 9М79К (9M79K) series surface-to-surface guided missile. This cluster munition carries fifty 9Н24 (9N24) high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) submunitions, and is launched from the 9К79 Tochka series of tactical ballistic missile launchers. (ARES)
OSMP68
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M79K Tochka series
Analyst Note:
A 9N24 submunition is visible to the left of the 9N123K warhead in this image. This high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) submunition is marked to indicate it was produced in 1989 and filled with A-IX-2 explosive composition. (ARES)
OSMP87
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M28S Grad
Analyst Note:
The 9M28S surface-to-surface unguided rocket carries the 9N510 warhead, which disperses burning thermite-type incendiary elements over a wide area upon functioning. This munition is designed to start fires in target areas vulnerable to incendiary attack, including forests, ammunition dumps, and fuel storage sites. (ARES)
OSMP12
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M27K Uragan series
Analyst Note:
This 9M27K-series surface-to-surface cargo rocket is carrying a payload of 9N210 or 9N235 high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) submunitions. These submunitions are difficult to distinguish unless their external markings are visible, or a close examination is made. (ARES)
OSMP590
Rocket or Missile Ukraine MGM-140 ATACMS series
Analyst Note:
The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) series includes variants with a variety of different payloads, including submunitions and unitary high explosive (HE) warheads. The number of submunitions carried and effective ranges also vary. Ukraine has reportedly received the MGM-140A and MGM-140B variants, which are externally visually identical and must usually be distinguished by markings. The MGM-140A carries 950 M74 submunitions, with an effective range of 165 km, while the MGM-140B carries only 300 M74 submunitions but has a longer effective range of 300 km. (ARES)
OSMP640
Tank Gun Projectile Palestinian Territories M329 APAM
Analyst Note:
The M329 is a multi-purpose tank gun projectile designed to engage a range of targets other than tanks. It is one of the few cluster munitions that takes the form of a tank gun projectile, dispensing six explosive submunitions over a relatively small area. It has also been referred to as the ‘APAM 120’, describing its functional role (‘anti-personnel/anti-materiel’) and calibre (120 mm). (ARES)
OSMP539
Rocket or Missile Syria 9M27K Uragan series
Analyst Note:
This image depicts either a 9M27K or 9M27K1 cargo rocket (cluster munition). The 9M27K carries the 9N210 high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) submunition, whilst the 9M27K1 carries the 9N235 HE-FRAG submunition (ARES).
OSMP483
Air-Delivered Bomb Syria RBK-500 PTAB-1M
Analyst Note:
Russian air-delivered cluster bombs, such as this one, are often named using a designation that is a compound of the names of the cargo (carrier) bomb and the submunition it carries. For example, this RBK-500 unguided, air-delivered cluster bomb carries 268 PTAB-1M HEAT submunitions, and is thus designated the 'RBK-500 PTAB-1M'. (ARES)
OSMP474
Rocket or Missile Syria 9M27K Uragan series
Analyst Note:
Cargo rockets often use an internal frame to manage the correct carriage and expulsion of submunitions. These internal frames frequently survive largely intact after the munition has functioned, and may be diagnostic in identifying a munition by type, series, or model. (ARES)
OSMP302
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M28S Grad
Analyst Note:
Like the more common 9M22S rocket, the 9M28S carries the 9N510 warhead, which dispenses 180 individual incendiary elements composed of a magnesium alloy shell filled with a thermite-like incendiary composition. (ARES)
OSMP120
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M27K2
Analyst Note:
This image shows a 9M27K2 cargo rocket as well as several partially ejected PTM-1 anti-vehicle landmines. This 9M27K variant is fitted with the 9N128K2 payload section which carries and dispenses 24 PTM-1 mines. Other variants carry different mines or submunitions. (ARES)