British Explosive Ordnance
Cluster Projectiles Introduction
A cluster projectile is an assemblage of small bombs or flares held together primarily by resilient straps and beams. It is constructed so as to be an amiable projectile, and is usually fitted with a tail unit for purposes of stabilization.
At present there are cluster projectiles for flares, incendiary bombs, smoke bombs, and small fragmentation bombs. The cluster projectiles are rapidly replacing the Small Bomb containers as the preferred method for carrying small bombs and flares. Advantages of the cluster projectile include ease of loading and installation in the aircraft, increased number of bombs or flares contained in the same space, and increased accuracy.
A new and improved type of cluster, called the Nose Ejection Cluster, was put into production just before the end of World War II. These clusters are discussed in general at the end of this chapter, and available details listed in tabular form.
Fuzes are incorporated in the cluster projectiles to disintegrate the cluster itself and so permit the individuals bombs or flares to disperse and fall freely. Cluster projectiles have explosive channels and pellets so designed as to break up the cluster without injuring any of the contained bombs. Flare and incendiary clusters are fuzed either at the nose or at the tail, while fragmentation and smoke bomb clusters now in service are fuzed in the tail only. Nose ejection clusters are tail fuzed only and use two tail fuzes to insure functioning.
The bombs or flares are usually shipped already packed in the cluster projectile, so that assembly of the complete round is not necessary in the field. The fuze of the cluster is generally installed just prior to loading the projectile on the aircraft.
At present there are cluster projectiles for flares, incendiary bombs, smoke bombs, and small fragmentation bombs. The cluster projectiles are rapidly replacing the Small Bomb containers as the preferred method for carrying small bombs and flares. Advantages of the cluster projectile include ease of loading and installation in the aircraft, increased number of bombs or flares contained in the same space, and increased accuracy.
A new and improved type of cluster, called the Nose Ejection Cluster, was put into production just before the end of World War II. These clusters are discussed in general at the end of this chapter, and available details listed in tabular form.
Fuzes are incorporated in the cluster projectiles to disintegrate the cluster itself and so permit the individuals bombs or flares to disperse and fall freely. Cluster projectiles have explosive channels and pellets so designed as to break up the cluster without injuring any of the contained bombs. Flare and incendiary clusters are fuzed either at the nose or at the tail, while fragmentation and smoke bomb clusters now in service are fuzed in the tail only. Nose ejection clusters are tail fuzed only and use two tail fuzes to insure functioning.
The bombs or flares are usually shipped already packed in the cluster projectile, so that assembly of the complete round is not necessary in the field. The fuze of the cluster is generally installed just prior to loading the projectile on the aircraft.
Cluster Projectile 270lb No.1 Mk I (Service)
Fuzing: Nose Fuze No.42, 848, 849, or 860 Mk II
Tail No.: No.69 Mk I
Contents: Seven 4.5-inch flares
Overall length: 62.75 inches
Body diameter: 18 inches
Total weight: 260 pounds
Overall length: 62.75 inches
Body diameter: 18 inches
Total weight: 260 pounds
Fuzing: Nose Fuze No.42, 848, 849, or 860 Mk II
Tail No.: No.69 Mk I
Color and markings: Dark green overall
Description: The cluster is a cylindrical metal container consisting of a nose unit, recessed to receive the noses of seven 4.5-inch reconnaissance flares, and a fuze adapter, from which radiate six flash tubes to the flare igniters and three flash channels leading to the explosive pellets in the piston housings. The nose unit is secured to the panel locating plate and the tail plate by the T-section suspension bar and the clamping bars. The clamping bars consist of a bar to which are welded two panels. The clamping bars locate the panels and are secured through the panel locating plates to the tail plate and to the nose unit by spring washers and nuts. The nuts securing the clamping bars to the piston housings are further secured by split pins. The tail tie rod is screwed into the tail plate and the tail unit fastened to it by a spring washer and nut.
The flares, from which the suspension lugs and domed caps have been removed, are located by the recesses in the nose unit and panel locating plate. The flares are fuzed with special igniters, consisting of the body and dome portion of the Fuze No.42 without the percussion cap and striker mechanism, and sealed with primed cambric.
Tail Construction: The Tail No.69 Mk I consists of a sheet-metal tail cone to which a cylindrical strut is attached by four fins. The tail unit is attached to the tail plate of the cluster by a tie rod, which passes down the center axis of the tail wire.
Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the cluster falls normally until the fuze functions. When the fuze functions, the flash from the magazine passes through the flash tubes to ignite the igniters in the nose of each flare, and through the flash channels to explode the gunpowder pellets in the piston housings. The explosion of the pellets forces the pistons out of their housings, causing the clamping bars to swing outwards, thus releasing the nose unit, panels, and initiated flares. The flares then function in the normal manner.
Suspension: The cluster is suspended by a single lug secured to a T-section suspension bar, which runs from the nose to the base of the cluster.
The flares, from which the suspension lugs and domed caps have been removed, are located by the recesses in the nose unit and panel locating plate. The flares are fuzed with special igniters, consisting of the body and dome portion of the Fuze No.42 without the percussion cap and striker mechanism, and sealed with primed cambric.
Tail Construction: The Tail No.69 Mk I consists of a sheet-metal tail cone to which a cylindrical strut is attached by four fins. The tail unit is attached to the tail plate of the cluster by a tie rod, which passes down the center axis of the tail wire.
Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the cluster falls normally until the fuze functions. When the fuze functions, the flash from the magazine passes through the flash tubes to ignite the igniters in the nose of each flare, and through the flash channels to explode the gunpowder pellets in the piston housings. The explosion of the pellets forces the pistons out of their housings, causing the clamping bars to swing outwards, thus releasing the nose unit, panels, and initiated flares. The flares then function in the normal manner.
Suspension: The cluster is suspended by a single lug secured to a T-section suspension bar, which runs from the nose to the base of the cluster.
Cluster Projectile 140lb No.2 Mk I (Service)
Contents: Four 4.5-inch flares
Overall length: 53.25 inches
Body diameter: 12.35 inches
Total weight: 140 pounds (approx.)
Overall length: 53.25 inches
Body diameter: 12.35 inches
Total weight: 140 pounds (approx.)
Fuzing: Nose Fuze No. 848, 849, or 860 Mk II
Tail No.: No.70 Mk I
Color and markings: Dark green overall
Description: This cluster is designed to hold four 4.5-inch flares. The components of the cluster consist of a nose unit, four flat caps which replace the dome-shaped tail closing caps of the flares, a T-bar, a panel locating plate, a tail plate, two clamping bars, two panels, and a tail unit.
When the cluster projectile is assembled, the four flares are located between the nose unit and the panel locating plate, and the assembly is held together by the clamping bars. The tail plate is also retained in position by the clamping bars, and the tail unit is secured to the tail plate by a nut and washers fitted to one end of a tie-rod, whose other end is screwed into the tail plate. The panels enclose the flares, and the T-bar, which positions the panel locating plate and the tail plate relative to the nose unit, carries a suspension lug by which the cluster projectile is attached to a bomb carrier.
Tail Construction: Tail Unit No.70 Mk I consists of a shortened tail cone, the base of which fits over the rim of the tail plate, and a tail strut secured to the tail cone by four fins. The tail unit is attached to the tail plate of the cluster by a tie-rod which passes down the center axis of the tail cone.
Functioning: The fuzed cluster projectile is released from the aircraft, and the fuze is set in operation. When the gunpowder in the fuze magazine explodes, the flash ignites the gunpowder contained in the small bag in the fuze adapter of the nose unit. The boosted flash passes through the six flash tubes, initiates the igniters fitted to the four flares, and fires the gunpowder in the piston housings.
The gases formed by the ignition of the gunpowder in the piston housings force the pistons out of the housings, shearing the brass shear pins, and so causing the clamping bars to swing outward on the U-bolts. This outward movement of the clamping bars releases the nose unit, the panels, and the initiated flares. The parts of the disintegrated cluster fall separately, and the flares, initiated by their igniters, function in the normal manner.
Suspension: This cluster is designed for suspension in British aircraft only. A single suspension lug is fitted to the T-bar of the cluster.
Remarks: In addition to normal stencilling in English, propaganda messages in German are stencilled in white paint on the sides of the panels.
When the cluster projectile is assembled, the four flares are located between the nose unit and the panel locating plate, and the assembly is held together by the clamping bars. The tail plate is also retained in position by the clamping bars, and the tail unit is secured to the tail plate by a nut and washers fitted to one end of a tie-rod, whose other end is screwed into the tail plate. The panels enclose the flares, and the T-bar, which positions the panel locating plate and the tail plate relative to the nose unit, carries a suspension lug by which the cluster projectile is attached to a bomb carrier.
Tail Construction: Tail Unit No.70 Mk I consists of a shortened tail cone, the base of which fits over the rim of the tail plate, and a tail strut secured to the tail cone by four fins. The tail unit is attached to the tail plate of the cluster by a tie-rod which passes down the center axis of the tail cone.
Functioning: The fuzed cluster projectile is released from the aircraft, and the fuze is set in operation. When the gunpowder in the fuze magazine explodes, the flash ignites the gunpowder contained in the small bag in the fuze adapter of the nose unit. The boosted flash passes through the six flash tubes, initiates the igniters fitted to the four flares, and fires the gunpowder in the piston housings.
The gases formed by the ignition of the gunpowder in the piston housings force the pistons out of the housings, shearing the brass shear pins, and so causing the clamping bars to swing outward on the U-bolts. This outward movement of the clamping bars releases the nose unit, the panels, and the initiated flares. The parts of the disintegrated cluster fall separately, and the flares, initiated by their igniters, function in the normal manner.
Suspension: This cluster is designed for suspension in British aircraft only. A single suspension lug is fitted to the T-bar of the cluster.
Remarks: In addition to normal stencilling in English, propaganda messages in German are stencilled in white paint on the sides of the panels.
Cluster Projectiles 400lb No.3 Mk I (Service)
Fuzing: Nose Fuze No. 860
Contents: Four 7-inch hooded flares
Overall length: 72.5 inches
Body diameter: 18 inches
Total weight: 400 pounds
Overall length: 72.5 inches
Body diameter: 18 inches
Total weight: 400 pounds
Fuzing: Nose Fuze No. 860
Color and markings: Black overall
Description: The cluster projectile consists of a flare-supporting unit, heavy nose, half securing bands, and the hooded flares. The flare supporting unit consists of a square cast-iron plate, on which is painted a narrow white alignment strip, and a steel tube to which is welded a suspension web. The rear end of the tube is flanged, and four equispaced pins are riveted to the flange. External threads on the fuze housing receive the plate-securing ring, which secures the plate to the tube. The tube is also internally threaded at the nose end to receive the fuze and a centrally drilled separating plug.
Four flash channels are drilled through the walls of the fuze housing immediately above the separating plug. Four flash tubes lead from these flash channels to the four equispaced holes in the plate drilled to receive the flare igniters. The piston, flanged at the protruding tail end, is housed in the tube and retained in position at the nose end by two shear pins. A space between the nose end of the piston and the centrally drilled separating plug forms a burster chamber, which is filled with a small fabric bag containing 80 grams of gunpowder when the cluster is fuzed. The heavy cast-iron nose, on which is painted a white alignment strip, and to which the flare supporting unit is bolted, is slotted to receive the flash tubes and the Fuze No.860. The nose end plate is retained in position by the fuze. The four flares are fitted with special igniters instead of fuzes, and are retained in position in the cluster by half securing bands. The igniters are located in the drilled hole in the plate.
The four half securing bands of the flare securing unit are seated on the flange, and each is retained in position by a socket, welded to the outside of the band, engaging with a corresponding dowel pin. The sockets are covered by metal bridges in which are cut horizontal slots to receive the flange of the piston. This prevents premature displacement of the flares. The four remaining half securing bands are placed in position round the flares and bolted to the other half bands. A cruciform distance piece is bolted to the tail end of the piston.
Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the cluster falls in a normal manner until the fuze functions. The flash from the fuze magazine passes through the flash channels and the flash tubes to activate the igniters, and through the separating plug to the burster charge. The explosion of the burster charge forces the piston towards the tail end of the cluster to sever the shear pins and to lift the half securing bands off the dowel pins by means of the flange of the piston engaging in the bridges. The four flares are thus lifted off the plate of the flare supporting unit. A three-second delay in the flare igniters allows the cluster to disintegrate before the flares function.
Four flash channels are drilled through the walls of the fuze housing immediately above the separating plug. Four flash tubes lead from these flash channels to the four equispaced holes in the plate drilled to receive the flare igniters. The piston, flanged at the protruding tail end, is housed in the tube and retained in position at the nose end by two shear pins. A space between the nose end of the piston and the centrally drilled separating plug forms a burster chamber, which is filled with a small fabric bag containing 80 grams of gunpowder when the cluster is fuzed. The heavy cast-iron nose, on which is painted a white alignment strip, and to which the flare supporting unit is bolted, is slotted to receive the flash tubes and the Fuze No.860. The nose end plate is retained in position by the fuze. The four flares are fitted with special igniters instead of fuzes, and are retained in position in the cluster by half securing bands. The igniters are located in the drilled hole in the plate.
The four half securing bands of the flare securing unit are seated on the flange, and each is retained in position by a socket, welded to the outside of the band, engaging with a corresponding dowel pin. The sockets are covered by metal bridges in which are cut horizontal slots to receive the flange of the piston. This prevents premature displacement of the flares. The four remaining half securing bands are placed in position round the flares and bolted to the other half bands. A cruciform distance piece is bolted to the tail end of the piston.
Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the cluster falls in a normal manner until the fuze functions. The flash from the fuze magazine passes through the flash channels and the flash tubes to activate the igniters, and through the separating plug to the burster charge. The explosion of the burster charge forces the piston towards the tail end of the cluster to sever the shear pins and to lift the half securing bands off the dowel pins by means of the flange of the piston engaging in the bridges. The four flares are thus lifted off the plate of the flare supporting unit. A three-second delay in the flare igniters allows the cluster to disintegrate before the flares function.
Cluster Projectile 500lb No.4 Mk I (Service)
Fuzing: Tail Fuze No.867 Mk I or No.885 Mk I
Tail No.: No.44 Mk I or II
Contents: Fourteen 30lb Type J incendiary bombs
Overall length: 72.5 inches
Body diameter: 18 inches
Total weight: 400 pounds
Overall length: 72.5 inches
Body diameter: 18 inches
Total weight: 400 pounds
Fuzing: Tail Fuze No.867 Mk I or No.885 Mk I
Tail No.: No.44 Mk I or II
Color and markings: Dull red overall, one of the tensioning straps painted bright red.
Description: This cluster is hexagonal in shape, and contains fourteen 30lb type "J" incendiaries, in two fagots of seven bombs each. The bombs are placed nose-to-nose and arranged in super-imposed rows of 2, 3, and 2 in each fagot. The bombs are retained in position by the front and rear end plates, the top and bottom beams, the side fairings, tensioning straps, and the retaining bar. The front and rear end plates secure the spring-loaded covers of the bomb parasheet containers. Lateral pins on the retaining bar engage with and hold the tabs of the tensioning straps in position. A shear wire near the end plate acts as a safety device for the retaining bar. To the rear end of the retaining bar is secured a pivoted lever, the lower end of which engages with the piston in the fuze adapter.
The fuze adapter is fixed to the channel plate, which in turn is fastened to the rear end plate. A nut, welded to the center of the rear end plate, received the tail tie rod to which the tail unit is secured by a tension nut. A nose fairing is secured to the front end plate, and fairing are fitted to the top beam. The fairing adjoining the rear end plate is slotted to receive the fuzing lanyard of the fuze and the safety wire of the tail unit.
Tail Construction: The Tail Unit No.44 Mk I is located by two dowel pins and is provided with two inspection windows to ensure correct alignment of the arming forks. A tie rod connects the tail unit to the cluster.
Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the fuze-setting control link withdraws the safety wire from the tail unit and, at the same time, breaks the shear wire of the fuze by means of the fuzing lanyard. The cluster falls normally until the fuze functions. The explosion of the fuze magazine forces the piston forward in its housing to cause a rocking movement of the pivoted lever. The sudden movement of the pivoted lever exerts a pull on the retaining bar to break its shear wire and disengage the lateral pins from the tabs of the tensioning straps. The straps, thus released, fly outwards to release the 14 bombs, which function normally on impact.
Suspension: A single suspension lug is fitted to the top beam, and tapped holes are also provided for the fitting of American lugs where necessary.
Remarks: This cluster projectile is designed to replace the Small Bomb Container as a means of carrying 30lb type "J" incendiaries.
The fuze adapter is fixed to the channel plate, which in turn is fastened to the rear end plate. A nut, welded to the center of the rear end plate, received the tail tie rod to which the tail unit is secured by a tension nut. A nose fairing is secured to the front end plate, and fairing are fitted to the top beam. The fairing adjoining the rear end plate is slotted to receive the fuzing lanyard of the fuze and the safety wire of the tail unit.
Tail Construction: The Tail Unit No.44 Mk I is located by two dowel pins and is provided with two inspection windows to ensure correct alignment of the arming forks. A tie rod connects the tail unit to the cluster.
Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the fuze-setting control link withdraws the safety wire from the tail unit and, at the same time, breaks the shear wire of the fuze by means of the fuzing lanyard. The cluster falls normally until the fuze functions. The explosion of the fuze magazine forces the piston forward in its housing to cause a rocking movement of the pivoted lever. The sudden movement of the pivoted lever exerts a pull on the retaining bar to break its shear wire and disengage the lateral pins from the tabs of the tensioning straps. The straps, thus released, fly outwards to release the 14 bombs, which function normally on impact.
Suspension: A single suspension lug is fitted to the top beam, and tapped holes are also provided for the fitting of American lugs where necessary.
Remarks: This cluster projectile is designed to replace the Small Bomb Container as a means of carrying 30lb type "J" incendiaries.
Cluster Projectile 500lb No.6 Mks I and II (Service)
Fuzing: Tail Fuze No.885 Mk I
Tail No.: No.45 Mk I
Contents: Ninety 4lb smoke bombs
Overall length: 72 inches
Width across flats: 16 inches
Tail length: 27 inches
Tail width: 16 inches
Total weight: 428 pounds
Overall length: 72 inches
Width across flats: 16 inches
Tail length: 27 inches
Tail width: 16 inches
Total weight: 428 pounds
Fuzing: Tail Fuze No.885 Mk I
Tail No.: No.45 Mk I
Color and markings: Dark green overall
Description: The cluster is hexagonal in cross section and comprises ninety 4lb smoke bombs, arranged in five fagots of eighteen bombs each. The bombs are arranged nose-to-tail longitudinally, and in alternate rows the bomb fuzes point in opposite directions. The bombs are held in place by a front end plate and a rear end plate, a top beam and a bottom beam, four side plates, tensioning straps, and a retaining bar. Lateral pins on the retaining bar engage tabs forming part of shoes attached to the ends of the tensioning straps. A shear wire passes through the retaining bar and a bridge on the top beam. The four side plates, together with the two beams, completely surround the bomb cluster. A channel secured to the rear end plate supports a fuze adapter, the outer end of which is closed by a transit plug and leather washer. Inside the adapter is a piston through which is a pin to engage the lower end of a pivoted lever. The fuze adapter and piston are slotted to receive the lever, which is connected at its upper end to the retaining bar.
The rear end plate has two dowels for locating the tail in position, and a nut welded to the center of the plate receives one end of a tail tie rod when the tail unit is fitted to the cluster. The front end plate has two dowels for locating a nose cover in position. A securing bolt is screwed into the center of the nose end plate to receive a fixing nut, when the nose cover is fitted to the cluster.
Tail Construction: The tail unit consists of a tail cone with an approximately hexagonal base, and a tail strut secured to the cone by fins. A the base of the tail cone are two holes to fit over the dowels on the rear end plate of the cluster. A tie rod passes through the center of the tail, and one end of this rod is threaded to screw into the central nut on the rear end plate. The other end of the rod is fitted with a tensioning nut for securing the tail to the cluster. The tail unit also has an arming spindle mounted in bearings, which has a fork at its inner end and an arming vane at its outer end. The safety wire, when fitted, passes through holes in a bracket, a projection on the support for the arming spindle bearings, and a blade of the arming vane. Two inspection windows in the tail cone are provided to enable the armorer to watch the fork of the arming spindle, when fitting the tail unit.
Functioning: When a cluster projectile fuzed with a Fuze No.867 is released, safety wire is withdrawn from the tail-unit arming vane and the shear wire of the fuze is broken to release the fuze safety pin. After a period of delay during which the cluster projectile falls freely, the fuze magazine is fired. The products of combustion of the magazine charge force the piston in the fuze adapter against the lower end of the pivoted lever, which is thus rocked about its pivot and exerts a pull on the retaining bar of the cluster. The pull breaks the shear wire passing through the retaining bar, and moves the bar so that its pins disengage the tabs on the shoes attached to the tensioning straps. The straps then fly outwards and the cluster disintegrates, its component parts falling away separately. The individual bombs function on impact.
Suspension: A British type suspension lug is fitted to the top beam of the cluster, and tapped holes are provided for fitting American type lugs.
Remarks: The Cluster Mk I contains 90 4lb Smoke Bombs Mk III. The Cluster Mk II is identical to the Mk I, except that it contains 90 4lb Smoke Bombs Mk II** or Mk IV.
If the smoke composition used in the 4lb smoke bombs gets wet, and especially if wetted by sea water, it is liable to spontaneous combustion through chemical action.
The rear end plate has two dowels for locating the tail in position, and a nut welded to the center of the plate receives one end of a tail tie rod when the tail unit is fitted to the cluster. The front end plate has two dowels for locating a nose cover in position. A securing bolt is screwed into the center of the nose end plate to receive a fixing nut, when the nose cover is fitted to the cluster.
Tail Construction: The tail unit consists of a tail cone with an approximately hexagonal base, and a tail strut secured to the cone by fins. A the base of the tail cone are two holes to fit over the dowels on the rear end plate of the cluster. A tie rod passes through the center of the tail, and one end of this rod is threaded to screw into the central nut on the rear end plate. The other end of the rod is fitted with a tensioning nut for securing the tail to the cluster. The tail unit also has an arming spindle mounted in bearings, which has a fork at its inner end and an arming vane at its outer end. The safety wire, when fitted, passes through holes in a bracket, a projection on the support for the arming spindle bearings, and a blade of the arming vane. Two inspection windows in the tail cone are provided to enable the armorer to watch the fork of the arming spindle, when fitting the tail unit.
Functioning: When a cluster projectile fuzed with a Fuze No.867 is released, safety wire is withdrawn from the tail-unit arming vane and the shear wire of the fuze is broken to release the fuze safety pin. After a period of delay during which the cluster projectile falls freely, the fuze magazine is fired. The products of combustion of the magazine charge force the piston in the fuze adapter against the lower end of the pivoted lever, which is thus rocked about its pivot and exerts a pull on the retaining bar of the cluster. The pull breaks the shear wire passing through the retaining bar, and moves the bar so that its pins disengage the tabs on the shoes attached to the tensioning straps. The straps then fly outwards and the cluster disintegrates, its component parts falling away separately. The individual bombs function on impact.
Suspension: A British type suspension lug is fitted to the top beam of the cluster, and tapped holes are provided for fitting American type lugs.
Remarks: The Cluster Mk I contains 90 4lb Smoke Bombs Mk III. The Cluster Mk II is identical to the Mk I, except that it contains 90 4lb Smoke Bombs Mk II** or Mk IV.
If the smoke composition used in the 4lb smoke bombs gets wet, and especially if wetted by sea water, it is liable to spontaneous combustion through chemical action.
Cluster Projectile 500lb No.7 Mk I (Service)
Fuzing: Tail Fuze No.885 Mk I
Tail No.: No.46 Mk II
Contents: Fifty-six 8lb F. Bombs Mk II
Overall length: 67 inches
Body diameter: 15 inches
Tail length: 27.75 inches
Tail width: 18 inches
Total weight: 550 pounds
Overall length: 67 inches
Body diameter: 15 inches
Tail length: 27.75 inches
Tail width: 18 inches
Total weight: 550 pounds
Fuzing: Tail Fuze No.885 Mk I
Tail No.: No.46 Mk II
Color and markings: Dark green overall, one tensioning strap painted red.
Description: This cluster consist of eight fagots of seven 8lb F. bombs each. The fagots are retained by top and bottom beams, front and rear end plates, side fairings, and four tensioning straps. The tensioning straps are held by lateral pegs on the release rod, which is located in the top beam. The release rod is connected to a level and piston mechanism, the cylinder of which also serves as the adapter for the barometric fuze and is located on the rear end plate. Before the fuze is fitted, the adapter is closed by the inverted cup portion of the safety device for the release mechanism.
To convert the cluster into an amiable cluster, a blunt nose fairing and drum-type tail are fitted to the front and rear end plates, respectively. A special streamlined nose fairing is provided for use when the cluster is to be stowed externally on the plane.
Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the cluster falls until the fuze functions. The explosion of the magazine forces the piston forward in its housing and causes a rocking motion of the pivoted lever. The sudden movement of the lever exerts a pull on the retaining bar and breaks the shear wire, disengaging the lateral pins from the tabs of the tensioning straps. The straps are thus released and fly outwards, releasing the contained bombs.
To convert the cluster into an amiable cluster, a blunt nose fairing and drum-type tail are fitted to the front and rear end plates, respectively. A special streamlined nose fairing is provided for use when the cluster is to be stowed externally on the plane.
Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the cluster falls until the fuze functions. The explosion of the magazine forces the piston forward in its housing and causes a rocking motion of the pivoted lever. The sudden movement of the lever exerts a pull on the retaining bar and breaks the shear wire, disengaging the lateral pins from the tabs of the tensioning straps. The straps are thus released and fly outwards, releasing the contained bombs.
Next Time: Cluster Projectiles Part 2
No comments:
Post a Comment