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BLU-3/B Bomblet / Clusterbomb, nicknamed pineapplevon D.J. Harms

The design of this clusterbomb can be traced back to the sixties of the past century. The bomblet is meant for useagainst personel and unarmoured targets and was ejected from the following dispensers:

CBU-2/A, 360 bomblets BLU-3/B in the SUU-7A (for use on high speed aircraft)CBU-2A/B, 409 bomblets BLU-3/B in the SUU-7A (for use on high speed aircraft)CBU-14A, BLU-3/B in the SUU-14A (for use on low speed aircraft)CBU-14A/A, BLU-3/B in the SUU-14A/A

ssu-7A ssu-14A

These dispensers are build up of bundles of pipes inwhich the bomblets are stacked behind one another. Inthe forward part of each pipe a piston is placed whichdrives the bomblets out of the pipe if placed underpressure. Electronic equipment build in the dispensercan be set to control the number and time interval ofbomblets released.

The body (1) of the bomblet is made of 250 steel balls1/4 inch (6,25mm) dia. steel balls which have beenplaced in a casting mould. The space between theballs is then filled with a casting alloy called Zamac, analloy of Zink, Aluminium, Magnesium and Copper normally used for carburators in cars- . The lower partof the body is internally threaded to receive the impact

fuze.

The fuze body (2) exists of a cast and machinedZamac body. The firing cap (4) is placed in the arming

slider (3) which keeps the firing cap out of line with thefiring pin (9). A straight toothrack on the outside of thearming slider grips into a speed reducing gearboxgearwheel. (5). A rotation spring (6) wants to slide thearming slider in a position where the firing cap is in linewith the firing pin. A spring loaded pin (7) is placed insuch a way in the fuze body that in inward position itblocks the arming slider from any movement. This pin(7) is kept in inward position when the bomblets arestacked in the dispenser pipes, so forming a transportsafety. A striker disk (8) with the firing pin (9) rivettedto it and a spring (10) on top is connected to the bodyby means of a number of small crimps.

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In safe position (striker disc upward) the firing pinprotrudes through a hole in the arming slider, formingthe arming safety. A steel band (11) held in position bya spoon (12) keeps the pop-out fins and the striker

disc firmly in inward position.

After release of the bomblet from the dispenser, thespoon (12) catches the slipstream and flips over,releasing the steel band (11), releasing the popout

fins.

With the release of the steel band the pin (7) thatforms the transport safety moves out, removing thetransport safety. When the fins pop out, the striker disc

(8) is released and forced out by the spring (10),thereby retracting the firing pin from the arming slider.The arming slider (3) now starts moving underinfluence of the rotation spring (6), slowed -3 seconds-in its movement by the reduction gearbox (5), so thebomb is removed some distance from the airplanebefore becoming armed.

On impact the striker disc (8) is pushed inward,pushing the firing pin (9) into the firing cap (4), ignitingthe detonator (13), which on its turn ignites a maincharge (14) of 0,16 Kg RDX.

Folded length: 95 mm (3,75 inch)Fully extended: 170 mm (6,7 inch)Diameter: 70 mm (2,75 inch)

Weight: 0,79 kg (1,75 Lb)