Cluster Bombs

M129 Cluster Bomb

The M129 cluster is used to deliver propaganda leaflets. Shaped generally like the
M117 750-pound class bomb, but constructed of fiberglass reinforced plastic, it weighs
92 pounds empty and about 200 loaded. It splits longitudinally to dispense about 30,000
5-in x 7-in leaflets. Painted overall olive drab, the M129 is currently qualified for use
with the B-52 and F-16.

Mk 20 Rockeye II Cluster Bombs

The Mk 7 dispenser was the basis of most Navy cluster bombs from Vietnam well into
the 1990s.
The Mk 20 'Rockeye II' anti-armor weapon was the most widely used version of the Mk
7. This subsonic-delivery dispenser first entered service in 1968 and was used extensively
during both Vietnam and Desert Storm. This was the only cluster bomb to bear the title
'Rockeye II'. (The USAF's CBU-87 was often mistakenly identified as Rockeye II during
Desert Storm, but is a completely different weapon).
The Mk 12 'Rockeye I' was a pre-Vietnam developmental 750-pound dispenser
containing 96 anti-armor bomblets that wasn't produced.).
The Rockeye II's Mk 118 shaped-charge bomblets look very much like throwing darts
and are designed to be effective against both tanks and ships.
All versions of Rockeye use the Mk 118 Mod 0 bomblet except for the Mk 20 Mod 4,
which uses the Mod 1. The only difference between the two bomblets is that the Mk 118
Mod 0 requires 1.2 seconds to arm after being dispensed, while the Mk 118 Mod 1 only
takes 0.5 seconds, allowing it to be used from the lower altitudes.
The Mk 20 Mod 0 and Mk 20 Mod 1 were probably preliminary designs, but never
entered production.
The Mk 20 Mod 2 was used by both the Navy and Air Force and was the only Rockeye II
lacking a fuze timer setting observation window for its Mk 339 Mod 0 fuze. It was also
unique in having only a single fuze arming wire, which meant only the 4.0-second timer
would function unless the fuze was manually reset to 1.2 seconds on the ground. Finally,
it was also the only version to use a hat box-shaped fuze cover on the ground. Distinctive
markings were a single three-inch wide, FSN 23538 or 33538 yellow band, centered
102 inches aft of the nose fairing joint. Early production USAF Mk 20 Mod 2 bombs
were overall FSN 24084 olive drab, while all subsequent Rockeye IIs were FSN 27875
white, with all having a 0.5-inch FSN 23638 or 33538 yellow semi-band over the top half
of the weapon to mark the center of balance.
Mk 20 Mod 3 (Mk 7 Mod 3) was also used by both services. It incorporated a fuze timer
setting observation window, two access holes on the lower nose fairing, dual arming
wires (enabling in-flight selection of either fuze setting), a streamlined fuze cover, and
could use either the Mk 339 Mod 0 or Mod 1 fuzes. The single 'live' band was shifted to
14.5 inches aft of the nose fairing joint.
The Mk 20 Mod 4 (Mk 7 Mod 4) was the primary (and last) version used by the USAF
and had several unique features. Aside from using the already mentioned Mk 118 Mod 1
bomblet, the Mod 4 had two sets of 14-in suspension lug wells, a longer fin release wire
and conduit, with additional cutouts in the conduit. It was also used by the USAF as the
 basis of the cancelled GBU-1 LGB. Mod 4s were fitted with either the Mk 339 Mod 0 or
Mod 1 fuzes. The 'live' band on these weapons was centered 11 inches aft of the nose
fairing joint.

Mk 7, SUU-58, SUU-75, and SUU-76 Cluster Bomb Summary

Bomb Dispenser Sub-munitions Remarks Weight
Mk 20 Mod 2 Mk 7 Mod 2 247 Mk 118 Mod 0 490 lb.
Mk 20 Mod 3 Mk 7 Mod 3 247 Mk 118 Mod 0 inflight fuzing option 490lb
Mk 20 Mod 4 Mk 7 Mod 4 247 Mk 118 Mod 1 496 lb.

SUU-30 Cluster Bombs

Developed during the Vietnam War, the original SUU-30/B was a redesign of the Navy's
Mk 5 ' Sadeye ' dispenser that reduced the size of latter's fins enough to permit carriage
on MERs and TERs.
The SUU-30/B(Mod) and SUU-30A/B featured a modified fin assembly, with fintip
plates aligned with the air flow.
The SUU-30C/B was externally identical to the SUU-30A/B, but featured some internal
structural modifications.
All of these SUU-30s were FSN 34087 olive drab with an 8-in (20-cm) diameter, 3-in
(7.6-cm) wide FSN 33538 yellow band around the nose.
The SUU-30B/B was a complete redesign which resulted in a blunter nose to the
dispenser.
The SUU-30D/B through SUU-30G/B were used to test various fin configurations, but
were not produced.
The final SUU-30H/B configuration had drag plates attached to the trailing edges of the
fins to stabilize the weapon during its separation from the aircraft. This was the final
SUU-30 produced, and the only one used after the Vietnam War. These SUU-30s are FSN
34087 olive drab with a 0.5-in (1.3-cm) wide FSN 33538 yellow band around the front of
the cylindrical portion of the dispenser.
Operational SUU-30H/B cluster bombs are filled with spherical bomblets with sharp-
edged ridges called 'flutes' on their exteriors. These cause the bomblets to spin-arm and
self-disperse.
The BLU-61A/B is a grapefruit-sized fragmentation bomblet that weighs about 3 lb and
detonates on impact.
The BLU-63/B bomblet is similar in function, but is only orange-sized, weighing about 1
lb, with the BLU-63A/B having an additional incendiary capability.
The BLU-86/B is functionally identical to BLU-63/B except that it features a random
time delay fuze.

SUU-30H/B Cluster Bomb Summary

Bomb Dispenser Sub-munitions Remarks Weight
CBU-52B/B 217 BLU-61A/B fragmentation 790 lb.
CBU-58/B 650 BLU-63/B frag/incendiary 810 lb.
CBU-58A/B SUU-30H/B 650 BLU-63A/B 820 lb.
CBU-71/B 650 BLU-86/B frag/incendiary mine 810 lb
SUU-64/65/66 Cluster Bombs (TMD)
The Honeywell tactical munitions dispenser (TMD) was developed by the USAF in the
1980s to replace the Vietnam-era SUU-30 and Mk 7 dispensers.
All TMD dispensers are capable of carriage and release speeds of 700 kt IAS/Mach 1.4.
They used the FZU-39 airburst fuze, which can be set to function at any of 12 altitudes
between 300 and 3,000 ft (91 and 914 m) AGL.
There are two basic versions of the TMD: the non-spinning SUU-64 and -66 and the
spinning SUU-65.
The SUU-65 dispenser's fins unfold after release and cant to spin it to a pre-selected rate
before opening, permitting ideal bomblet dispersion, even when released from very low
altitudes. It can be distinguished from the very similar SUU-64 and SUU-66 by the large
crossbar at the back of its fin assembly.

TMD Cluster Bomb Summary

Bomb Dispenser Sub-munitions Remarks Weight
CBU-87/B 202 BLU-97/B FZU-39/B
CBU-87A/B SUU-65/B 202 BLU-97A/B FZU-39/B
CBU-87B/B 202 BLU-97A/B FZU-39(D-4)/B 960 lb
CBU-87C/B 202 BLU-97A/B
CBU-89/B 72 BLU-91/B Gator mines
SUU-64/B 22 BLU-92/B 710 lb
CBU-89A/B 72 BLU-91/B Gator FZU-39/B
22 BLU-92/B
CBU-97/B SUU-66/B 10 BLU-108/B SFW anti-armor 927 lb.
CBU-98/B SUU-64/B 8 BLU-106/B BKEP anti-runway 1,039 lb.
24 HB.876 JP233 area denial mine

Cluster Bomb Fuzing

Two types can be used, time delay and proximity. All CBU fuzes are nose-mounted and
serve to split open the dispenser, releasing its payload.

USAF Cluster Bomb Fuzes

Fuze Type Remarks
FMU-56 proximity SUU-30H
FMU-107 timer M129 (AN-M147A1)
FMU-110 proximity proximity SUU-30H
FZU-39 proximity proximity SUU-30H, -64, -65, -66
M909 timer timer M129
Mk 339 timer timer SUU-30H, M129, and Mk 20
 General-Purpose Bombs

All bombs weighing less than 2,000 lb have suspension lugs spaced 14 in (35 cm) apart;
those weighing more use 30-in (76-cm) spacing.
Production of the Mk 80 series bombs, with an explosive content of roughly 50 per cent,
began during the Korean conflict, although they did not actually see service until
Vietnam.
The 250-lb Mk 81 was found to be ineffective during Vietnam and its use was
discontinued.
Use of the 1000-lb Mk 83 was discontinued by the USAF after limited use during
Vietnam, although it will apparently be used again for JDAM weapons for the F-22.
The Tritonal-filled 500-lb Mk 82 and 2,000-lb Mk 84 bombs are the mainstays of USAF
weaponry and have been widely exported.
Live USAF warheads and fins are painted FSN 34087 olive drab with a single 3 in (7.6
cm) FSN 33538 yellow band around the nose. Inert warheads have a non-explosive filler
and either substitute a FSN 35109 blue band for the yellow, or are painted overall blue.
During the early 1990s, when the Navy switched its filler from H-6 to PBXN-109, its Mk
80-series casings received new designations: BLU-110 for the Mk 83, BLU-111 for the
Mk 82, and BLU-112 for the Mk 84.
The visually distinguishing characteristic of naval GP bombs is their very rough thermal
protective (TP) coating.
Fins
The most common fin fitted to GP bombs is the low-drag, general-purpose (LDGP) fin,
also referred to interchangeably as the conical fin assembly (CFA). Initial CFAs did not
have independent designations, and were simply referred to using the bomb designation
(e.g., Mk 82 conical fin). Bombs fitted with this kind of fin are commonly called 'slicks'.
There are also a number of fins that can be configured so as to either deploy or not deploy
their retarding fins. If not deployed, they have ballistics virtually identical to CFA bombs.
Because of this, both the CFA and non-retarding retard finned bombs are referred to as
low-drag (LD) bombs, while bombs using their retarding devices are referred to as high-
drag (HD) bombs.
High-drag bombs loaded in weapon bays of B-52s and B-1Bs have a MAU-111 strap that
unwraps from around the bomb body as it falls, delaying fin opening until the weapon is
well clear of the aircraft.

Mk 82
All 500-lb class Mk 82 warheads have an exposed length of 71 in (180 cm) (not including
fuze or nose plug) and are 13.9 in (35 cm) in diameter. The Mk 82 Mod 0 was an NTP
warhead constructed from welded pipe. It featured an electrical fuze charging well and a
single hoisting/suspension lug located between two 14-in (35-cm) suspension lugs.
The main changes to the Mk 82 Mod 1 warhead, introduced on 4 January 1955, were the
switch to seamless tubing construction and the elimination of the single
hoisting/suspension lug.
The Navy's Mk 82 Mod 2 was probably introduced in 1973 and is thermally protected.
Neither the NTP Mk 82 Mod 3 nor the TP Mk 82 Mod 4 were produced. These warheads
featured internal scoring to increase fragmentation effects.
The Air Force uses the inert BDU-50 to simulate the Mk 82. These practice bombs have
no internal plumbing for fuzes. There are two versions: the BDU-50/B can only be
configured with tail fins, while the BDU-50A/B can also be fitted with LGB guidance
kits.

Mk.82 Fins
There are three operational Mk 82 conical fin designs, only two of which are used by the
Air Force.
The 22-pound Mk 82 Mod 1 has a 1.5 degree fin cant to spin-stabilize the bomb and
several doors and panels to allow access to tail fuzes. This fin is 26 in (66 cm) long and
has 15-in (38-cm) span fins.
Like the Mk 82 CFA, the 27-lb MAU-93/B attaches to the bomb with six set screws.
However, it is 43 in (109 cm) long and has a 19.6-in (50-cm) fin span.
The Navy's BSU-33 was developed during the late 1980s. The same length as the Mk 82
CFA, this FSN 35376 gray fin adds 2.5 degree metal wedges to the left rear corner of
each fin to increase spin rate.

The 60-lb Mk 15 Mod 0 Snakeye retarding fin was adopted for use in April 1964. The
Mk 15 Mod 1 was introduced in April 1967, and the Mk 15 Mod 2 in December 1967.
The Mk 15 Mod 3 was introduced in April 1970, and was the first version used by the
USAF.
The other version used by the Air Force was the Mk 15 Mod 4, which was introduced in
November 1971.
The Navy's 66-lb Mk 15 Mod 5 retained the release band and latching lever which had
previously separated from the bomb to prevent damage to composite aircraft structures.
The Mk 15 Mod 6 refined this design.
In late 1987, the Navy introduced the BSU-86 to replace the Mk 15.
These fins are painted FSN 36375 gray.
The main disadvantage to weapons fitted with Snakeye fins was that they forced many
aircraft to slow down to deliver them.

The Goodyear Aerospace air-inflatable retard (AIR) fins allow Mk 80 series warheads to
be released at much higher airspeeds than were possible with Snakeyes. The Mk 82 AIR
is often referred by its 55-lb fin's designation: BSU-49.
The Navy's Mk 16 uses the BSU-49 shell with a parachute replacing the ballute and is
used with mines.

Mk 84
All 2,000-lb class Mk 84 warheads have an exposed length of 96 in (244 cm) (not
including fuze or nose plug) and are 18 in (46 cm) in diameter. The Mk 84 Mod 0 was an
NTP warhead with an electrical fuze charging well and a single hoisting/suspension lug
located between two 14-in (35-cm) suspension lugs.
The first operational bomb, the Mk.84 Mod 1, was introduced in February 1955 and
featured 30-in (76-cm) suspension lugs, and was used extensively in Vietnam.
The slightly modified Mk 84 Mod 2 was introduced in March 1972.
The Navy's Mk 84 Mod 3 was introduced in May 1973 and was the first TP Mk 84.
The NTP Mk 84 Mod 4 is the current version used by the Air Force. It was introduced in
August 1974 and eliminated the single hoisting/suspension lug.
The Navy's Mk 84 Mod 5 was a TP version of the Mod 4 and was introduced in May
1979.
The NTP Mk 84 Mod 6 and TP Mk 84 Mod 7 were introduced in April 1989 and had
their fuze arming wells relocated for compatibility with F/A-18 bomb racks.
Inert Mk 84 s have no unique designation and are simply normal casings with non-
explosive filler.

Mk.84 Fins
The original Mk 84 Mod 0 conical fin had a 25.3-in (64-cm) fin span, was 53 in (135
cm) long and could be distinguished by its rounded cap behind the fins that did not allow
access to tail fuzing.
The 114-lb production fin, the Mk 84 Mod 1, has several doors and panels to allow
access to tail fuzes, a 2 degree fin cant to spin-stabilize the bomb, and deletion of the
rounded tail cap that shortens its length to 49 in (124 cm).
The USAF's Mk 84 AIR uses the 97-lb BSU-50 fin. Designed primarily for the F-111, its
release speed is so high that the Navy did not acquire it.
During Desert Storm, the Navy decided it had a requirement for a retarded Mk 84 and
authorized the 87-lb Mk 11 parachute fin for overland use, a function it already filled for
underwater mining operations.

M117
While the Vietnam-era Mk 80-series bombs had Navy designations, the Korean-vintage
750-lb M117 has a US Army Air Force designation. Originally classed as a demolition
bomb because its explosive content was about 65 per cent, it was widely used in Vietnam.
Subsequently, the M117 has only been used by the B-52.
Developed as the T54, the original Minol-filled version was designated M117.
The M117A1 deleted the single suspension lug, and was followed by the Minol II-filled
M117A2.
The M117A3 was filled with Tritonal.
The M117A1E1 was an A2 that could be filled with either Tritonal or Minol II.
The M117A1E2 was an A1 filled with Minol II, and the final version was the
M117A1E3, a modified A1E1 filled with Tritonal.
M117s were exported, especially to Israel, which used them frequently with F-4s during
the Yom Kippur War of October 1973.

M117 Fins
Originally, low-drag M117s were fitted with 52-lb M131 conical fins that were 49 in (124
cm) long with a 23-in (58-cm) fin span.
In the early 1970s, the 64-lb MAU-103/B conical fin was introduced, featuring strakes, a
50-in (127-cm) length, and a 19-in (48-cm) fin span.
A modified version of this fin, the MAU-103A/B increased fin-span to 22 in (56 cm).
The high-drag bomb, commonly known as the M117R, used the 117-lb MAU-91A/B and
MAU-91B/B 'Snakeye'-type fins through the 1991 Gulf War. These 22-in (56-cm) span
fins are 48 in (122 cm) long and have minor differences in their fin latching mechanisms.
The M117 AIR was adopted after the Gulf War and uses the 95-lb BSU-93/B ballute fin,
with a 20-in (50-cm) fin span and a 40-in (101-cm) length.
The MC-1 is a M117 case filled with 24 US gal (90 liters) of the lethal nerve gas Sarin
(GB). It is fitted with bursters to rupture it on impact, dispersing its contents. Unlike
normal bombs, this chemical bomb is painted medium gray, with a green nose band.

BLU-107 (Durandal)
The USAF adopted the 450-lb French Durandal for use by F-111s as the BLU-107
runway denial weapon. Its delivery requires a non-maneuvering, level flight path at low
altitude across the targeta highly defended runway. This penetrator consists of a
warhead, rocket motor and parachute. Designed for carriage on BRU-3 bomb racks, an
aerodynamic fairing is installed over the nose of BLU-107s carried on the front stations,
while the blunt, penetrator nose is exposed on the aft weapons. When released, a braking
chute extracts the main parachute and then drops away. The main chute slows the weapon
and points it at the ground. When the proper downward angle is achieved, the main chute
is released and the rocket motor fires the warhead through up to 16 in (40 cm) of
unreinforced concrete. After it penetrates beneath the runway, a delay fuze detonates the
33-lb warhead, heaving the runway surface upward, thus making it unusable.
However, F-111Fs attacked the vast Iraqi airfields repeatedly, using LGBs almost
exclusively. They had great success in making the runways and taxiways unusable by
detonating 2,000-lb LGBs at their intersections from an altitude safe from ground fire.

BLU-109
The success of the Israeli air force in destroying the Arab air forces on the ground during
the opening minutes of the 1967 Six Day War prompted the major tactical air forcesto
develop hardened aircraft shelters (HASs). These shelters were impervious to most GP
bombs. Naturally, the need arose for a bomb capable of penetrating HASs and other
hardened facilities. The answer to this requirement is commonly referred to as the
improved 2,000-lb bomb, or I-2000, although its actual designation is BLU-109.
To prevent it from breaking up before it penetrates the hardened exterior of its target, the
BLU-109 has an explosive content of only 25 per cent. The rear of the bomb is flared
slightly so as to be compatible with any Mk 84 fin group. Since all of its targets require
precise aiming, BLU-109s are only used as part of a PGM, although some were tested
with conical fins when carried by F-16 test aircraft. Versions include the Air Force's
BLU-109/B and the Navy's thermal protected BLU-109A/B.
The BLU-109 uses a FMU-143 fuze.

BLU-113
The ultimate penetration warhead, the Lockheed BLU-113/B, was developed, produced,
deployed and used in combat in only 17 days. Used for the 4,700-lb GBU-28/B 'Deep
Throat' bombs, they were machined from spare 8-in howitzer barrels to resemble very
long BLU-109s, but with an explosive content of only 15 per cent. Published reports
indicate the bomb was dropped from relatively high altitude, maximizing both its kinetic
energy (five times that of the GBU-24/27) and impact angle, enabling it to penetrate over
100 ft (30 m) of earth or 20 ft (6 m) of concrete to destroy command bunkers thought safe
from all but nuclear attack.
General-Purpose Bomb Fuzes
Often overlooked, the different fuzes used with GP bombs are absolutely crucial to
inflicting the desired damage to a given target.
The most easily identified of all nose fuzes was the M1A1, commonly known by the term
'daisy cutter'. Developed during Vietnam as a kind of poor man's proximity fuze, it was
nothing more than a length of explosive-filled pipe with an M904 fuze on the end
(usually 36 in long, but also available in 18- and 24-in lengths). This allowed the bomb to
explode before it buried itself in the soft soil of Vietnam, thus increasing its blast effect.
Mechanical fuzes are identifiable visually by their distinctive vanes or the M905's ATU-
35 anemometer.
Most electrical fuzes are cylindrical devices hidden by either a nose plug or the fin
assembly.
The FMU-113 proximity fuze is easily identifiable by its black, hemispherical radome.

General-Purpose Bomb Fuzes

Fuze Location Type Function Uses
FMU-26B/B Nose/Tail Instant or Short Delay Mk82, 84, 117LD
FMU-54 Tail Instant Mk82, 84, 117LD
FMU-72 Nose/Tail Electrical Long delay Mk82, 84, 117LD
FMU-139 Nose/Tail Instant or Short Delay Mk82, 84, 117
FMU-143 Tail Instant BLU-109, 113
FMU-113 Nose Electrical Proximity Mk82, 84, 117LD
M904E2/3 Nose Mechanical Instant or Short Delay Mk82, 84, 117
M905/ATU-35 Tail Mechanical Instant or Short Delay Mk82, 84, 117LD

Blast Bombs

BLU-82
Used in Vietnam to clear helicopter landing zones and in Iraq to detonate minefields, the
15,000-lb class BLU-82 blast bomb was the largest bomb in the Air Force arsenal by
1990. During the 1991 Gulf War it was delivered only by MC-130Es, shoved out the
cargo door strapped to a cargo pallet. The bomb's descent was slowed and stabilized by
parachutes, and was detonated by a 4-ft long 'daisy cutter', to ensure an above-ground
explosion and maximize blast and fragmentation effects. The explosive content of the
BLU-82 was about 80 per cent.
 Laser Guided Bombs

Paveway Laser-Guided Bombs

Paveway II Laser-Guided Bombs

Of all the Paveway I LGBs used in Vietnam, only those based on the Mk 80 series bombs
were retained and improved by the performance enhancement program (PEP).
Paveway II bombs were externally distinguishable from Paveway Is by their 'pop-out'
wings which made handling and carriage easier. Their MAU-169 computer control
groups (CCG) differed from the Paveway I's MAU-157 in its ability to guide on coded
laser illumination, thus making it possible to attack multiple targets simultaneously while
reducing the probability of successful countermeasures. To incorporate this feature, pulse
repetition frequency (PRF) selectors were mounted on the exterior of the CCG.
Both Paveway I and II bombs used 'bang-bang' CCGs that utilized full control deflection
to alter a bomb's trajectory, thus shortening its normal ballistic range. For this reason,
Paveway I and II bombs were dropped ballistically, with the laser only being turned on
during the last few seconds of flight to refine the impact point.
All operational Paveway II weapons had 1-in (2.5-cm) wide ID stripes on the left side of
their wings (4 in/10 cm long), canards, and CCG (both 3 in/7.6 cm long).These stripes
were yellow for GBU-10s and orange for GBU-12s.

Operational US Paveway II Laser-Guided Bombs

Bomb CCG Warhead Weight AFG Notes

GBU-10C/B MAU-169/B WS-2123
GBU-10D/B MAU-169A/B Mk 84 2,083 lb MXU-651/B
GBU-10E/B MAU-169B, C, D, E & F/B
GBU-10F/B MAU-169C/B & D/B
GBU-10G/B MAU-169/B
GBU-10H/B MAU-169A/B BLU-109/B 2,103 lb MXU-651/B
GBU-12B/B MAU-169/B
GBU-12C/B MAU-169A/B Mk 82 611 lb MXU-650/B
GBU-12D/B MAU-169B, C, D, E & F/B
GBU-16/B MAU-169/B
GBU-16A/B MAU-169A/B Mk 83 1,110 lb MXU-667/B USN
GBU-16B/B MAU-169D, E, & F/B
Paveway III Laser-Guided Bombs
Paveway III low-level laser-guided bombs (LLLGB s) use proportional guidance CCGs
to increase both bomb range and accuracy.
LLLGB kits were developed for both the 500-lb GBU-22/B and 2,000-lb GBU-24 bombs
but only the latter generated a performance increase warranting production.
The GBU-24/B uses a Mk 84 warhead while the GBU-24A/B uses the BLU-109/B
penetration warhead. The latter warhead requires the ADU-548 adapter kit with saw-tooth
adapters to smooth air flow over the tail section and a hardback to compensate for the
reduced diameter of the BLU-109 warhead.
The GBU-27/B Paveway III bomb is modified to fit within the F-117A weapons bay. It
has shorter canards and Paveway II wings and an adapter collar between the CCG and the
warhead shortened from the GBU-24's 9 in (23 cm) to only 6 in (15 cm).
The GBU-28/B ' Deep Throat ' bomb was developed during the 1991 Gulf War to
implement attacks against several deeply buried bunker complexes in the Baghdad area
containing the main Iraqi command and control facilities. With 20-ft (6-m) reinforced
concrete ceilings buried 100 ft (30 m) in the ground, these bunkers were impervious to
ordinary conventional bombs. Initial discussions about how to attack this class of target
were held in the weeks leading up to the 15 January UN deadline, with the weapon
referred to as the hard target penetrating munition (HTPM). The final Lockheed-proposed
design called for an 8-in (20-cm) howitzer barrel machined to a shape resembling an
elongated BLU-109 and fitted the GBU-27's airfoil group, but with the GBU-24's longer
adapter collar. The final go-ahead to develop the bomb was not granted until 11 February
1991, three weeks into the air war. Initially, four bombs were constructed, with two used
for testing and the others reserved for combat use. The barrels were taken out of storage
at Watervilet Arsenal in New York, cut and machined to size, fitted with an artillery shell
nose and shipped to Eglin AFB where they were loaded with explosives. Because of their
length, each bomb nose was lowered into a pit and filled with explosive filler by means
of a bucket brigade.