1–100 of 1,133
Current Filter
Fragmentation Munition
Fragmentation munitions use the detonation of an explosive to propel small fragments of material (‘fragmentation’) from the body of the munition at high velocity. A fragmentation munition typically affects a wider area than a simple blast munition of the same size, and is effective against personnel and unarmoured vehicles. Fragmentation is the primary mechanism of lethality for many common explosive munitions, but these munitions almost invariably also affect their environment through blast and other mechanisms (e.g., a high explosive fragmentation munition).
Analyst Note:
This image shows an Iranian M18A1 anti-personnel landmine, an Iranian copy of the American M18A1 ‘Claymore’ design. Iran has produced their own copy of the M18A1 since at least 2004. According to Iranian sources, it contains 600 spherical, steel pre-formed fragments that are 6 mm in diameter. These mines are designed to propel these steel balls in an arc forward of the munition upon detonation. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This photo shows a Russian Air Force Su-35 (RF-81718), which, alongside another Russian aircraft, intercepted a UK Royal Air Force aircraft in international airspace over the Black Sea. This image, published by the Royal Air Force, provides an opportunity to view a ‘live’ Su-35 load-out in detail. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The fuze installed in this Modamer warhead appears to be the Serbian UT M18, which is commonly installed in the “120mm TB” thermobaric air-delivered bomb. The 120mm TB resembles a mortar projectile (see OSMP 1803 & 1812), but is commonly dropped from UAVs. Both the 120mm TB and the UT M18 fuze are known to have been purchased by the armed forces of the UAE, and shipments marked for delivery to the UAE have been documented in Sudan. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
From early 2026, rockets marked “KP-M-112mm” began appearing in media reports from Syria. The manufacturer and country of origin of these is not yet known. Visually, these munitions closely resemble the Chinese Type 63 family of rockets (which includes the Iranian FAJR 1, often seen in Syria). However, the markings indicate an apparent 112 mm diameter, which is larger than the 107 mm of the Type 63 family. There are other, minor differences in construction that are externally visible. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a munition shortly before impact. While the quality of the image is not high enough to conclusively identify the munition, remnants of a Storm Shadow/SCALP EG missile were recovered following this strike, supporting a more precise identification.
Whilst Saudi Arabia has denied conducting this strike, and the Yemeni Army has claimed responsibility, Saudi Arabia is known to possess Storm Shadow/SCALP EG missiles and the capability to deploy them, whereas the Yemeni Army is not known to possess or use this weapon. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The PF69-40 HEI warhead contains approximately 900 pieces of spherical steel fragmentation (‘ball bearings’) as well as 2,000–3,000 incendiary pellets that scatter over a 15 m radius on detonation. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The items highlighted in this image are Vietnamese 70 mm B40 recoilless gun projectiles. The B40 HE is an anti-personnel munition that is fired from the Vietnamese B40 recoilless gun, a copy of the Soviet RPG-2. (ARES)
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:
This image shows a U.S. Area Denial Artillery Munition (ADAM), an anti-personnel scatterable landmine which is dispensed from the rear of M692 and M731 155 mm artillery gun projectiles. Each projectile contains 36 ADAM submunitions. The submunition can deploy up to seven tripwires out to 20 ft (6.1 m). Any movement of a tripwire or movement of the ADAM body will result in a small kill mechanism being ejected to a height of a 6–8 ft (1.8 m–2.4 m) prior to detonating. Each munition contains a small amount of depleted uranium. The ADAM was previously designated as either the M67 or M72, with the only difference being the self-destruct time delay. (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)
