M117 bomb

M117
Type free-fall general-purpose bomb
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service 1950s–2015
Used by United States
Wars Korean War , Vietnam War
Production history
Variants M117R, M117D
Specifications
Weight 340 kg
Length 2.06 m-2.16 m
Diameter 408 mm
Maximum firing range Varies by method of employment
Warhead Tritonal
Warhead weight 183 Kg
Wingspan 520 mm
An F-100D of the 308th TFS, being loaded with Mk 117 750 lb bombs at Tuy Hoa, South Vietnam, in early 1966.

The M117 is an air-dropped general-purpose bomb used by United States military forces. It dates back to the time of the Korean War of the early 1950s. Although it has a nominal weight of 750 pounds (340 kg), its actual weight, depending on fuze and retardation options, is around 820 pounds (372 kg). Its explosive content is typically 403 pounds (183 kg) of Minol 2 or Tritonal. It can also be configured with a low-drag tail fin for medium and high-altitude deliveries.[1]

History

In the 1950s through the early 1970s the M117 was a standard aircraft weapon, carried by the F-100 Super Sabre, F-104 Starfighter, F-105 Thunderchief, F-111, and F-4 Phantom.

The M117 series was used extensively during the Vietnam War, and B-52G Stratofortress aircraft dropped 44,600 M117 and M117R bombs during Operation Desert Storm.[1][2]

At present it is used only by the B-52 Stratofortress; tactical aircraft now tend to use the Mark 80-series bombs, particularly the Mark 82 (500 pounds (227 kg)) or Mark 84 (2,000 pounds (907 kg)) bombs and their guided equivalents.

On 26 June 2015, the last Mk 117 in PACAF inventory was dropped by a B-52H crew on an island near Andersen AFB, Guam.[3]

Variants

M117R

The M117R (R - Retarded) uses a special fin assembly providing either high-drag or low-drag release options. For low altitude deliveries, the tail assembly opens four large drag plates which rapidly slow the bomb and allow the aircraft to escape its blast.[1]

MAU-103/MAU-91

The M117Rs that are fitted with tail units, are the MAU-103 low drag tail and the MAU-91 high drag tail, respectively.[4]

M117D

The M117D (D - Destructor) looks similar to the M117R but uses a magnetic influence fuze, which enables the bomb to function as a mine. The M117D is released in a high-drag configuration for ground implant or shallow water mining. It detonates when an object passing near the bomb triggers the fuze.[1]

MC-1

The M117 was the basis of the MC-1 chemical warfare bomb, which had the body cavity filled with sarin nerve gas. The MC-1 was never used by the U.S. in combat and was eliminated from the U.S. stockpile in June, 2006.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 USAF Museum: M117 Bomb
  2. ↑ Janes Air Launched Weapons Issue 36. ISBN 0-7106-0866-7.
  3. ↑ http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/607252/blast-from-the-past-last-m117-bomb-dropped-near-guam-coast.aspx
  4. ↑ Janes.com: MAU-10 Low Drag Bomb
  5. ↑ "Depot and Disposal Facility reach significant milestones" (PDF). June 12, 2006. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
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