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

Reported Location (52)

Year the image is reported to have been taken

Year (22)

Classification groups of key explosive munitions used in conflicts

Munition Category (8)

The impact or effect the munition is intended to have

Functional use (10)

A broad term for a variety of different carrier munitions which contain and dispense submunitions - smaller munitions, sometimes called 'bomblets'.
Cluster Munition
✕
Use the detonation of an explosive to propel small fragments of material from the body of the munition at high velocity
Fragmentation Munition
✕
The specific model of munition pictured

Tentative Model (293)

Search

The external organisation that documented the munition

Research Organisation (6)

Colour of the munition pictured

Base Colour (12)

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

Marking Colour (11)

Language or script of the marking on a munition

Marking Script (10)

Condition of the munition pictured

Condition (6)

Key features defining the operation mechanisms of a projectile

Mechanical Feature (10)

Whether a munition is guided or unguided

Guidance (2)

Where the munition is launched from and what it targets

Domain (7)

The type of fins visible on the munition

Fins Characteristic (6)

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 (77)

Weight class of the aerial bomb pictured

Weight Class (14)

× Clear all filters
801–900 of 1,261

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.

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).
OSMP914
Rocket or Missile Myanmar 9M22 Grad series R-122
Analyst Note 19 November 2024
These R-122 ‘Grad’-type 122 mm surface-to-surface rockets were produced in North Korea. The example to the right is fitted with an F-122 impact fuze. Whilst a two-tone colour scheme is more common amongst those North Korean Grad rockets thus far identified in the context of the Ukraine conflict (these typically featuring a black forward section), uniformly coloured examples like this have also been identified previously. (ARES)
OSMP928
Rocket or Missile Ukraine MGM-140 ATACMS series
Analyst Note 18 November 2024
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 7 November 2024
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 14 October 2024
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)
OSMP859
Air-Delivered Bomb Myanmar MAB-10B6
Analyst Note 2 November 2024
The arming vane for a nose fuze (painted red) is visible on each of the two leftmost MAB-10B6 air-delivered bombs in this image. As the bomb falls, air passing over the arming vane causes it to spin, arming the fuze. (ARES)
OSMP856
Air-Delivered Bomb Myanmar MAB-10B6
Analyst Note 2 November 2024
The circles in this image indicate where the fixed fin assembly is connected to the bomb body. Fin assemblies such as this help stabilise the bomb as it falls, improving the predictability of the trajectory and thus precision. Fins also orient the bomb as it falls so that munition travels nose-down. Orientation of the bomb on impact can play a role in fuze functioning, as well as the distribution of explosive or other effects. (ARES)
OSMP865
Mortar Projectile Palestinian Territories 60mm L.R.
Analyst Note 11 November 2024
This Iranian 60 mm mortar projectile is of the ‘Long Range’ type described without a specific model name in various Iranian export catalogues and other sources. The designation as marked on projectiles and packaging is variable, with observed formulations including “60mm H.E. L.R.”, “60mm H.E L.R”, and “60mm HE L.R”. Sometimes, as here, “60mm L.R” is followed by “HE / TNT”. (ARES)
OSMP70
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M79K Tochka series
Analyst Note 14 October 2024
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 14 October 2024
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)
OSMP820
Air-Delivered Bomb Lebanon GBU-39 series
Analyst Note 24 October 2024
Labels on munition remnants can provide a host of useful data, including the model designation (in this case, “GBU-39/B”), part number (PN; (“70P998100-1003”), National Stock Number (NSN; “1325-01-526-8728”), serial number (SN; illegible), and Department of Defense Identification Code (DODIC; “EC53”). These codes, and others like them, can often be searched for in databases or provided to technical specialists for further interpretation. (ARES)
OSMP87
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M28S Grad
Analyst Note 14 October 2024
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)
OSMP815
Artillery Gun Projectile Israel M107
Analyst Note 15 October 2024
This M107 high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectile is fitted with an RT180 multi-function fuze. The RT180 can be set to operate in point-detonating or proximity modes. The factory setting for the proximity fuze detonates the warheads an average of 9 metres above the target. (ARES)
OSMP827
Rocket or Missile Israel Tamir
Analyst Note 16 October 2024
This image shows most of the forward half of a Tamir surface-to-air missile, including the guidance section and warhead, as fired by launchers in the Iron Dome system. These interceptor missiles are fast and manoeuvrable with a relatively small explosive payload. Their construction and low yield means that remnants are often recovered largely intact. (ARES)
OSMP783
Air-Delivered Bomb Israel MK 80 series › MK 84 series › BLU-117 JDAM kit › GBU-31 JDAM
Analyst Note 21 October 2024
The BLU-117 air-delivered bomb is nearly identical in format to the more common MK 84, but uses the PBXN-109 explosive filler which is more insensitive than the typical explosive compositions found in MK 80-series bombs. The BLU-117 is also coated with a grey, thermally resistant paint, and marked with three yellow bands (as opposed to the green paint with two yellow bands found on standard MK 80-series bombs). These changes were requested by the U.S. Navy for safer storage of these munitions aboard ships. (ARES)
OSMP12
Rocket or Missile Ukraine 9M27K Uragan series
Analyst Note 14 October 2024
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)
OSMP781
Air-Delivered Bomb Israel JDAM kit › GBU-31 JDAM BLU-109
3 Analyst Notes 3 October 2024
This is an image released by the Israeli Defense Forces that shows an F-15I of 69 Squadron Israeli Air Force preparing to take part in a high-profile airstrike on 27 September 2024, in which the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed.
OSMP590
Rocket or Missile Ukraine MGM-140 ATACMS series
Analyst Note 18 November 2024
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)
OSMP585
Air-Delivered Bomb Israel M117 series
Analyst Note 16 September 2024
The M117 series of air-delivered bombs were historically referred to as ‘demolition bombs’, due to the more substantial blast effect they offer in comparison with so-called ‘general-purpose bombs’. This is achieved through the use of more energetic explosive compositions, such as Tritonal or Minol, which incorporate an oxidiser (typically aluminium powder). Today, munitions using such compositions are sometimes considered in the loose category of ‘enhanced blast munitions’, but the distinction between demolition and general-purpose bombs has largely disappeared. (ARES)
OSMP614
Rocket or Missile Lebanon 9M22 Grad series
Analyst Note 14 October 2024
The crude launch arrangement depicted in this photograph shows the ease with which many simple rocket designs can be launched. Weapons such as this are used where precision fire is not a requirement; i.e., where the target might be a whole compound, neighbourhood, or settlement, rather than a specific building or vehicle. (ARES)
OSMP713
Mortar Projectile Israel 60mm L.R.
Analyst Note 11 September 2024
This is an Iranian 60 mm mortar projectile, marked to indicate it is of the ‘high explosive, long-range’ type (“H.E L.R”). Both the munition body and fuze are marked to with the year of production (“2008”). Whilst the tan colouring is often indicative of Iranian-made munitions (especially where the fins are also painted), this is not diagnostic, and a combination of physical features and markings should be assessed to reach a positive identification. (ARES)