M29 cluster bomb

The M29 cluster bomb was a 500-pound (230 kg) cluster bomb used by the United States Air Force during World War II against troops, unarmoured vehicles and artillery.^[1] The weapon contained ninety 4-pound (1.8 kg) M83 fragmentation submunitions - a direct copy of the earlier German Butterfly Bomb - in 9 ten-bomb "wafers".^[2] The M28 was a 100-pound (45 kg) equivalent of the M29 containing 24 bomblets.

M29 Cluster Bomb
Museum example
Type	Cluster bomb
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	United States
Wars	World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Production history
Designer	Copy of German design
Specifications
Mass	500 pounds (230 kg)
Filling	90x 4-pound (1.8 kg) M83 fragmentation submunitions in 9 "wafers" of ten bombs each.

Cutaway of M29 cluster bomb showing nine "wafers" of bombs

Both bombs contained a mechanical time fuze that could be set to open the cluster at a preselected time between 5 and 92 seconds by triggering a burster charge. The case sides and ends sprung open, allowing the bomblets to fall out. The case sides were cup-shaped to retard the fall of the bomb. The manual warns that "Use of the M131 fuze is not recommended in areas that are expected to be occupied by friendly forces as they constitute a potential booby trap".^[2]

See also

• List of cluster bombs