American Projectiles and Explosives
Missiles
A.A.F. Missiles
1,000-pound VB-1 "Azon" Air-to-Surface Missile
Warhead: 1,000-pound G.P. Bomb AN-M44, M65, or M65A1
Construction: The VB-1 is a guided bomb employing a 1,000-pound G.P. body to which a special tail unit has been attached, replacing the standard tail assembly. The VB stands for "Vertical Bomb" and indicates that the bomb is normally released from high altitude by use of a conventional bombsight and that the guided action for the bomb is relatively small, so that direction of the trajectory at the time of impact is essentially vertical.
Tail unit: More popularly known as the "Azon" bomb, since it can be controlled only in azimuth 2,000 to 3,000 feet to either side of the normal point of impact, the VB-1 has its controls in a radio receiver housed in the tail unit. A radio transmitter, operated by the bombardier in the parent aircraft, sends signals to the receiver, which, in turn, activates a servo motor controlling the movement of the rudders in the tail fins. Also incorporated in the tail is a gyro and solenoid system which prevents the bomb from spinning by changing the pitch of the small ailerons in the fins.
Guide flares attached to the after end of the tail unit assist the bombardier in following the flight of the VB-1. Three flares, the T6E1 (white), T7E1 (red), and T8E1 (green) with an intensity of 1,000,000 candlepower each, are electrically armed and ignited three to four seconds after release, and burn from one to two minutes. Three mechanically armed and ignited flares, T21, T22, and T23 are under development.
Suspension: Suspension lugs are welded to the case in a manner similar to the G.P. bombs.
1,000-pound VB-3 "Razon" Air-to-Surface Missile
Warhead: 1,000-pound G.P. Bomb AN-M44, M65, or M65A1
Construction: The VB-3 is a guided bomb similar to the VB-1, with the major difference that its flight may be controlled in range as well as in azimuth, and is known generally as the "Razon" bomb. Like the VB-1, it has a special tail unit fitted to a 1,000-pound G.P. body, and is normally released from high altitude by use of a conventional bombsight, the guided action being relatively small, so that the trajectory at the time of impact is essentially vertical.
Tail unit: The controls for the VB-3 are contained in the cylindrical section of the tail unit and consist of a radio receiver, a gyro, and a servo motor. Surrounding this unit are two shrouds; the forward shroud merely stabilizes the bomb in flight, while the after contains the stabilizing ailerons and range/azimuth control ailerons.
On each of the four struts supporting the after shroud is an aileron controlled by the gyro. These four ailerons steady the bomb and prevent it from rotating while in flight. They are set 90 degrees apart and operate in pairs; ie, those ailerons placed opposite to each other move together in unison.
Four move ailerons are located on the outer surface of the after shroud. These are ailerons which control the trajectory of the bomb and adjust its flight in azimuth and range. They also work in pairs, and are operated by connecting rods which pass through the control unit and are activated by the servo motor. At present, two bombardiers are required with the VB-3 bomb; one controls range and the other azimuth. They work independently of each other and, by use of a special bombsight, they are always able to see the bomb in flight, superimposed on the target. As the bombardiers manipulate their control switches, radio waves are sent to the receiving unit in the tail. This unit activates the servo motor, which, in turn, moves the ailerons on the shroud, altering the flight of the bomb.
As in the VB-1, flares are employed to assist the bombardier in the visual control of the flight of the bomb. Currently used flares are the T6E1 (white), T7E1 (red), and T8E1 (green). They are of 1,000,000 candlepower each, electrically ignited three to four seconds after release, and with one to two minutes of burning time. Three mechanically activated flares, T21, T22, and T23 are under development.
Suspension: Suspension lugs are welded to the case in a manner similar to the G.P. bombs.
1,200-pound VB-6 "Felix" Air-to-Surface Missile
Overall diameter: 18.6 inches
Total weight: 1,202 pounds
Warhead: 1,000-lb G.P. Bomb AN-M65
General: The VB-6 is a heat-homing, high-angle bomb for attack against targets which give higher heat radiation than the surrounding areas. An added nose (84 pounds) and special tail assembly (143 pounds) carried on a standard 1,000-pound G.P. Bomb AN-M65 contain the heat-seeking equipment and the mechanism which operates the airfoil controls. Requisites for proper performance are clear weather and a target which has necessary heat-radiation quality. The bomb is sighted and released by standard Norden procedure.
Control: The tail assembly, which resembles that of VB-3, has range and azimuth control surfaces on an octagonal shroud, and gyro-stabilizes ailerons to keep the missile from spinning. When a target passes into view, the increased heat radiations stimulate the nose unit to apply the necessary corrections to the shroud surfaces.
Suspension: Standard lugs.
Remarks: The Nose Fuze T85 has a special plate attached to it, on which the nose assembly is bolted.
12,000-pound VB-13 "Tarzon" Air-to-Surface Missile
No picture available
Warhead: 12,000-pound G.P. Bomb T10
General: This missile consists of a modified Bomb T10 with a circular, 54-inch shroud about its body for lift, an octagonal tail surface for control, and the radio control mechanisms for guidance in range and azimuth. It is well suited for use against targets requiring direct hits, deep penetration, and heavy explosive loads. Good visual bombing conditions are necessary, and, when several bombs are to be used on the same target, all must be dropped together, since the first explosion will visually obscure the target area. Another tactical requirement is for the dropping aircraft to remain on its bomb run until the missile strikes.
Control: The control mechanism and procedure are fundamentally similar to those of the VB-3.
Suspension: Depending on the aircraft employed; generally similar to that of the Bomb T10.