!    Bomb body !    Suspending lugs !    Fuzing !    Fin assemblies Bomb Body The bomb body (fig. 8-1) is a metal container that contains the high explosive charge. There is a threaded cavity in both the nose and tail of the bomb body that allows the various fuzing applications. The bomb body also    has    threaded    cavities    for    the    installation    of suspension   and/or   hoisting   lugs.   The   rear   charging tube, forward charging tube, charging receptacle, and charging receptacle plug are installed in the bomb body during the manufacturing process. These are used with various fuzing operations. Suspending Lugs Suspension lugs (fig. 8-1) are used for attaching the assembled    bomb    to    the    aircraft's    suspension    and releasing  equipment.  The  lugs  screw  into  the  bomb body in pairs. They are spaced either 14 or 30 inches apart, depending on the size of bomb. During loading, the   lugs   engage   the   bomb   rack   suspension   hooks, securing the bomb to the aircraft. Fuzing There   are   various   fuzing   combinations   for   the bomb body, depending on tactical requirements. Fuzes are divided into two broad categories—mechanical and electrical.   Mechanical   and   electrical   fuzes   can   be installed in either the nose and/or tail of the bomb body. These fuzes are maintained in a safe condition by the insertion of a safety cotter pin or arming wire through the arming vane and the fuze body. Mechanical fuzes are activated by means of an arming wire or lanyard, or by electrical energy transferred from the aircraft-carried equipment to the fuze as the weapon is released   from   the   aircraft.   When   the   mechanically fuzed   weapon   is   released   and   falls   away   from   the aircraft,  the  arming  wire  is  pulled  from  the  arming vane.   This   allows   the   arming   vane   to   rotate   in   the airstream,  arming  the  fuze.  For  emergency  or  other tactical reasons, the pilot has the option of permitting the arming wire to fall with the weapon. When the pilot uses     this     option,     the     arming     vane     can't     rotate. Therefore,     the     weapon     remains     in     an     unarmed condition.    When    an    electrically    fuzed    weapon    is released   from   the   aircraft,   it   receives   the   necessary electrical voltage signal from the aircraft firing circuits to arm the fuze. Fin Assemblies Fin assemblies provide bomb stability and cause it to fall in a smooth, definite curve to the target. The conical fin (fig. 8-1) is used for the unretarded mode of delivery. The Snakeye fin assembly is used for either  the  low  drag,  unretarded  (fig.  8-2,  view  A)  or high drag retarded (fig. 8-2, view B) mode of delivery. Low-level   bombing   requires   the   retarded   mode   of delivery.  The  aircraft  and  the  weapon  are  traveling  at the  same  speed  at  the  time  of  weapon  release.  This means  the  weapon  and  the  aircraft  will  arrive  at  the target together, which could result in explosion damage to the aircraft. Therefore, use of the retarded mode of delivery   retards   (slows   down)   the   weapon   so   the weapon gets to the target after the aircraft has passes. The explosion occurs after the aircraft passes the target. Mk  80  series  LDGP  bombs  are  painted  an  olive drab  color  overall.  A  single  or  double  yellow  band painted around the nose of the bomb body identifies a high-explosive    hazard.    The    double    yellow    bands indicate that the bomb body is thermally protected. This protection increases the weapon's  cook off    time if the weapon is engulfed by fire. PRACTICE BOMBS Practice bombs display the same ballistic properties    as    service-type    bombs;    however,    they contain no explosive filler. Therefore, practice bombs are  safer  to  use  when  training  new  or  inexperienced pilots and ground handling crews. Practice bombs are inexpensive and can be used in more target locations. There are two types of practice bombs—full-scale and subcaliber. Full-scale practice bombs are about the same  size  and  weight  as  service  bombs.   Subcaliber practice   bombs   are   much   smaller   than   the   service bombs they simulate. Full-Scale Practice Bombs The  full-scale  practice  bombs  are  the  Mk  82,  83, and  84  series  LDGP  inert  bombs.  Each  bomb  can  be configured  with  the  same  components,  such  as  fuzes, fins,  and  suspension  lugs  that  are  used  with  service bombs.   The   Mk   80   series   practice   bombs   have   an overall  blue  exterior  or  an  olive  drab  exterior.  Mk  80 series bombs also have a blue band around their nose and  the  word  INERT  in  1-inch  letters  on  the  exterior bomb body. Subcaliber Practice Bombs There     are     two     types     of     subcaliber     practice bombs—the    Mk    76    Mod    5    and    the    BDU-48/B. 8-6