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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
10 June 2026
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
10 June 2026
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
10 June 2026
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
27 April 2026
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
24 August 2026
Highlighted is a Russian POM-2 scatterable, high explosive, anti-personnel submunition which deploys six legs for stabilization upon impact and four pressure- and pull-sensitive 9.5m (31.17’) long tripwires which end in a ‘Y’ fashion with plastic weights. Upon deployment, nylon ribbons (seen in the foreground) are deployed to help ensure the submunition lands upright, in addition to the stabilizing legs. Originally designed to be dispensed by rockets and helicopters, the war in Ukraine has seen the POM-2 modified for deployment via drone, hand and even from RPGs. (ARES)
Analyst Note
21 April 2026
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
21 April 2026
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
2 March 2026
Positive identification of the model of air-delivered bomb to which the UMPK kit is fitted cannot be made from the source imagery. Based on the size of the UMPK and historical use in the area, it is likely an OFAB-250-270 model. (ARES)
Analyst Note
2 March 2026
It is reported that this jet engine was recovered from the wreckage of a Geran-5 one-way attack (OWA) UAV. It is most likely a Telefly TF-TJ2000A model, manufactured by Telefly Telecommunications Company in China. It is reported that the TF-TJ2000A engine produces 200 kg of thrust; this is a significant increase in thrust compared to the Telefly JT80 engine used on the Shahed-238 (Geran-3) UAV, which produces approximately 80 kg of thrust. (ARES)
Analyst Note
2 March 2026
This image shows the remains of a Russian Geran-5 drone. These drones are reported to be roughly 6 meters long and have a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters. They are fitted with a warhead weighing approximately 90 kg and have a range of about 1,000 km. (ARES)
Analyst Note
2 March 2026
The 3OF39 Krasnopol is a laser-guided, rocket-assisted 152 mm tank gun projectile carrying a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead. The round is built and shipped with a cover over the optical sensor. This protective cover is fitted with a T-90 mechanical time delay fuze. Once fired, the T-90 fuze will initiate after a pre-selected time and will jettison the protective cover, exposing the optical sensor in the nose. The internal impact fuze, which can be set for immediate or delayed initiation, is then responsible for detonating the projectile. (ARES)
Analyst Note
15 January 2026
3OF39 Krasnopol rounds are shipped in two parts as seen in this image. They are then assembled prior to employment. (ARES)
Analyst Note
15 August 2026
These images show a relatively intact GBU-39/B air-delivered bomb, with the distinctive Diamond Back Wing Assembly still mounted to the bomb body. Whilst the source claims that the U.S. feared this bomb would be exploited for its technology, the GBU-39/B has been in widespread use since its introduction in 2006, including in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. Similar glide bombs have been designed and produced by other nations. (ARES)
