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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:
This image shows a Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS). The LUCAS one-way attack UAV is a U.S.-made, cost-effective ‘kamikaze drone’. LUCAS munitions can connect to one another via a mesh network, allowing multiple LUCAS drones to communicate in flight. The white square object connected to the munition by a cable appears to be a Starlink antenna, consistent with reported communication capabilities. Elon Musk has claimed that LUCAS operates only via Starshield, a Starlink-derived satellite network intended for government use. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the remains of the attitude control section of either a PAC-3 CRI or PAC-3 MSE missile. This section contains the attitude control motors, used in combination with control fins to guide and adjust the missiles on its way to the target. It is difficult to determine which of the two models this wreckage belongs to due the similarities of this section in both missiles and the absence of other distinctive components. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the remnants of a PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) missile. The PAC-3 family of missiles are hit-to-kill interceptors that defend against incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and other targets primarily by using kinetic impact. However, it is important to note that these missiles contain a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) “lethality enhancer” warhead. These warheads are much smaller than what would normally be expected on a surface-to-air missile of this size, but still present a hazard if it fails to function as designed. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The Iranian 358 surface-to-air missile is reportedly a ‘loitering munition’, designed for engaging drones and rotary-wing aircraft. It employs a combination of ground-based and onboard thermal cameras to scan a designated area, and then uses an infrared imaging seeker in the nose to locate and lock onto targets. The missile carries a 10 kg fragmentation warhead, which is functioned by a 360-degree laser proximity sensor. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Shown is the Russian Kh-69 (marked in Cyrillic: “Х-69”) cruise missile which was debuted at a Russian arms show in August 2022, and entered into active military service the following year. The Kh-69 was reportedly first used in combat in February 2024, engaging Ukrainian targets. The more compact design when compared with previous Russian missiles results in a smaller radar signature, which is further reduced by the trapezoidal form factor. The Kh-69 is classed by the Russian military as a ‘stealth cruise missile’ and carries either a penetrator or cluster (submunitions) warhead. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows 122 mm high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectiles manufactured in three different states, L–R: Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Whilst these examples are distinct from one another—particularly in coloration, as well as the presence or absence of paint over the driving band and bourrelet—this is not always the case, and a combination of physical features and markings should be assessed before identification is made. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This munition, despite being adapated from the design of a 120 mm mortar projectile and closely resembling such, is actually a small air-delivered bomb intended to be dropped by UAV. The manufacturer clearly states that the munition should not be fired from a mortar. Additional data from the manufacturer states that it uses a UT M18 “special impact fuze”. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an FN-6-series man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) being fired. In Sudan, this weapon is referred to as the ‘Nayzak’. The Nayzak is most likely a Chinese FN-6 re-marked for domestic use. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a russian air-delivered bomb fitted with a UMPK guidance kit. Not enough of the bomb is visible to positively identify the model, but it is most likely an OFAB-250-270 based on what can be seen of the tail section. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a North Korean 170 mm artillery projectile, as fired by the M-1978 Koksan self-propelled artillery gun. Very little is known of the M-1978 Koksan due to the secretive nature of North Korean arms development, but both high explosive and rocket-assisted high explosive projectiles are believed to be available. The designations ‘M-1978’ and ‘Koksan’ were applied by American military analysts identified the system in Koksan, North Korea, in 1978. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image appears to show a remnant from either a 9M38- or 9M317-series surface-to-air missile. Positive identification of this munition cannot be made based on the imagery in this source alone; a rear control fin is visible in image but the 9M38- and 9M317-series missiles use indistinguishable rear fins. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image appears to shows the remnants of either a 9M38- or 9M317-series missile, however positive identification of this surface-to-air missile cannot be made based solely on the imagery in this source. The 9M38- and 9M317-series missiles are close in design and function, and are predominantly fired from the Buk family of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. The Buk-M2E SAM system is known to be in service in Venezuela, having been delivered under a Russian contract beginning in 2015. The source video for this entry shows the destroyed remains of a Buk-M2E launch vehicle, known as the 9A316E. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) is a guided air-delivered ‘glide bomb’ that allows for long-range strikes using an unpowered munition. The AGM-154C and AGM-154C-1 variants (a remnant of the latter pictured here) carry a Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge (BROACH) multi-stage warhead which uses a WDU-44 shaped-charge warhead as its first stage, to help penetrate hardened targets, whilst the WDU-45 second stage comprises a conventional high explosive penetrator warhead (also called a ‘follow-through’ warhead). The AGM-154C-1 is described by the U.S. Navy as their “first air-to-ground Network-Enabled Weapon (NEW) capable of attacking stationary land and moving maritime targets. It includes GPS/INS guidance, terminal IR seeker and a Link 16 weapon data link. Integration of the Link-16 weapon data link and updated seeker software algorithms provide a capability against at-sea moving/relocatable targets.” (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a WDU-36 series warhead as used in the RGM-/UGM-109 Tomahawk series of cruise missiles. The warhead design suggests this is likely a WDU-36/B from an RGM-/UGM-109E missile. The RGM-/UGM-109E Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (also known as TLAM Block IV) is an improved version of the BGM-109C TLAM-C. In cases where the missile strikes a building but does not function as intended, the dense, comparatively heavy warhead is often projected forwards of the point of impact. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a WDU-36/B warhead as used in the RGM-/UGM-109 Tomahawk series of missiles. The WDU-36/B is the improved, lighter version of the previous WDU-25/B warhead. It is reported that the titanium-cased WDU-36/B weighs around 310 kg and carries a main charge of approximately 120 kg of PBXN-107 high explosives. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image depicts remnants from a M999 (‘Barak Eitan’) 155 mm cluster munition. Reports indicate that the M999 artillery projectile carries nine M99 Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) submunitions. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Markings on the forward section of this small, air-delivered bomb suggest that the designation is ‘BK-3OF’ (“БК-3ОФ”). The physical features of the munition suggest that it is laser-guided and likely carries a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) payload. This image shows the only known example, which was allegedly captured by Russian forces in conjunction with a Ukrainian UAV. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This Russian air-delivered cluster bomb is marked with a threatening message directed at the French people: «Français! Changer la politique du président dans le pays, sinon ces bombes vont changer le lieu d'atterrissage!» (“French people! Change the president’s policy in the country, otherwise these bombs will change their landing site!”). (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a Hydra-70 rocket fitted with an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kit, converting it into a guided missile. In this case, the missile features an M151 high explosive (HE) warhead fitted with either an M427 or M423 point-detonating (PD) fuze. The rocket motor model cannot be determined from this source alone, but it is most likely to be a MK 66-series motor. The launcher appears to be a LAND-LGR4 model produced by Arnold Defense. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Positive identification of this surface-to-air missile cannot be made based on the imagery in the source. The items highlighted in this image are most likely the remains of either a 9M38- or 9M317-series missile, based on fin construction and their size relative to the individual posing in the foreground. These two missiles are close in design and function, and are predominantly fired from the Buk series of SAM systems. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a ‘120mm TB’ air-delivered bomb that has been adapted from a 120 mm mortar projectile. It is claimed by the manufacturer that this thermobaric munition offers improved fragmentation and blast effects when compared with standard (high explosive) 120 mm mortar projectiles. The “with special FUZE” marking refers to the use of the UT M18 impact fuze. Note that this munition cannot be fired from a mortar, despite the munition body showing features consistent with this use (e.g., gas-check bands). Instead of a standard mortar projectile tailboom which would contain an ignition cartridge and be perforated by flash holes, this munition is fitted with a simplified, plastic tailfin assembly that is designed to stabilise the munition as it falls after being released by a UAV. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The 9N314M warhead shown here can be used in both 9M38- and 9M317-series missiles. In this particular case, according to the source, it was taken from a 9M38M1 missile. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Although the source claims that this image shows a Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system, this imagery is not sufficient to determine whether the remnants highlighted are from a 9M38-or 9M317-series guided missile. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The physical features of this munition indicate that it is most likely an Iranian 60 mm ‘high explosive, long-range’ (“H.E. L.R.”) mortar projectile fitted with an AZ111A2 impact fuze. However, positive identification cannot be made based on the source imagery. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The munition depicted in this image is a type of aerodynamically optimised artillery projectile, in this case 155 mm in calibre, known as an ‘Extended Range Full-Bore (ERFB)’ design. This example is a cargo projectile fitted with a base-bleed (BB) base unit to further extend its range. This configuration is designated NR269, and reportedly contains 56 M46 dual-purpose (anti-personnel/anti-armour) submunitions. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
In this case, the tentative identification of this munition is possible based on an analysis of its silhouette, particularly the distinctive detachable warhead compartment that can be seen hanging from the base of the munition's body. In many cases, such an identification technique would not be possible to apply with confidence. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image represents the first documented instance of a Shahed-series UAV carrying an R-60 air-to-air missile. This appears to add a new capability to the Shahed, enabling it to target enemy aircraft. Arming UAVs to counter interception and engage alternative targets is an emergent trend. Previously, unmanned surface vessels (USVs) employed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been observed carrying R-73 air-to-air missiles, for example. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an M49-series 60 mm high explosive (HE) mortar projectile, or a copy thereof. Due to the state of the round the available imagery, the specific model or variant cannot be determined. The fuze is also not clearly visible. Most M49 mortar projectiles use an M525, M717, M935, or similar point-detonating (PD) fuze. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows several 107 mm rockets of the Type 63 pattern. Whilst developed by China, munitions of this design are now produced by several countries around the world, including Iran, North Korea, and Sudan. The state-owned Military Industry Corporation (MIC) of Sudan produces a copy of the Type 63 known as the TAKA-01, TAKA-1, or TAKA-107. (ARES)