BLU-108
{{Short description|Air-delivered anti-vehicle submunition}}
The BLU-108 is an air-delivered submunition, containing four further smart "Skeet" warheads. The system is manufactured by Textron Systems Weapon & Sensor Systems since 1992. The BLU-108 is released from a munitions dispenser, with a parachute being used to slow its descent. It then fires the four rapidly rotating skeets, which use multi-mode optical sensors to identify a variety of targets ranging from tanks and missile launchers to railway locomotives and stationary aircraft. When the skeet passes over what it considers a high priority target (this priority can be changed prior to employment), it fires a 0.9 kg (2 lb) explosively formed penetrator providing armor-piercing and incendiary effects, as well as a fragmentation ring meant to damage any soft targets, primarily enemy personnel, in the immediate vicinity of the target.
BLU-108/B specifications
- Length: 78.8 cm (31.0 in){{Cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/asetds/u-b.html#_BLU108|title=BAK to BSU/BSG - Equipment Listing|website=www.designation-systems.net}}
- Diameter: 13.3 cm (5.25 in)
- Maximum lateral dimension: 18.4 cm (7.25 in)
- Weight: 29.5 kg (65 lb)
Skeet specifications
- Height: 9.5 cm (3.75 in)
- Diameter: 12.7 cm (5.0 in)
- Weight: 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)
- Seeker: Dual-mode active (laser) and passive (infrared) sensors
- Explosive: 945 g (2.08 lb) Octol
- Kill mechanism: Explosively formed penetrator and fragmentation
Weapon systems
References
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External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070911061427/http://www.textrondefense.com/products/airlaunched/blu108.htm BLU-108 - Textron Defense Systems]
- [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/blu-108.htm BLU-108/B Submunition - Global Security]
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Category:Aerial bombs of the United States
Category:Fire-and-forget weapons
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s
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