AIRCRAFT BOMB AMMUNITION AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS

Q3. Name the electric fuzes that are used for retarded delivery of the Mk 80 (series) bomb. Q4. List the functions of the Mk 31 safety device. Q5. What is the purpose of the Mk 122 Mod 0 arming safety switch? Q6. What is the purpose of the Mk 43 Mod 0 target-detecting device? Q7. What is used to power the internal circuitry of the TDD? AIRCRAFT BOMB AMMUNITION AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the purpose and types of aircraft bombs, the safety procedures to be followed during bomb shipment, and the methods used to carry bombs. Aircraft bombs are released over enemy targets to reduce and neutralize the enemy's war potential. This is done by destructive explosion, fire, nuclear reaction, and war gases. Aircraft bomb ammunition is used strategically to destroy installations, armament, and personnel; and tactically in direct support of our land, sea, and air forces engaged in offensive or defensive operations. For safety reasons, some bomb ammunition is shipped and stowed without the fuzes or arming assemblies and associated components installed. This ammunition must be assembled before use. Other types, such as cluster bomb units (CBUs), are shipped and stowed as complete assemblies, with fuzes or arming assemblies and associated components installed. Bombs are designed to be carried either in the bomb bay of aircraft or externally under the wings or fuselage. The general characteristics and basic principles of operation of bomb ammunition and its associated components are described in this chapter. Bomb assembly procedures are discussed in chapter 13 of this manual. GENERAL-PURPOSE BOMBS AND FIN ASSEMBLIES LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the purpose and use of general-purpose bombs to include shipping configuration, fuze wells and charging circuits, suspension lugs, arming wire assemblies, and fin assemblies. Low-drag, general-purpose (LDGP) bombs are used in most bombing operations. Their cases (bomb body) are aerodynamically designed, relatively light, and approximately 45 percent of their weight are made of explosives. General-purpose bombs may use both nose and tail mechanical or electric fuzes and conical or Snakeye fins. The general-purpose bombs currently in use are the LDGP Mk 80 (series). The specifications for the individual bombs are listed in fig 1-14. The basic difference between the bombs listed in fig 1-14 is their size and weight. The following description of the Mk 80 (series) bomb is applicable to all bombs within the Mk 80 (series) unless otherwise noted. SHIPPING CONFIGURATION The bomb body (fig. 1-15) is shipped with a plastic plug installed in the nose and tail fuze well to prevent damage to the internal threads and to keep out moisture. The aft end of the bomb body has a metal shipping cap installed. Plastic lug caps are installed in the suspension lug wells, and a plastic plug is installed in the fuze-charging receptacle well. Some bombs contain a hoisting lug packaged in the tail fuze well. Bombs are shipped on metal pallets. The number of bombs loaded on each pallet depends on the bomb size. For example, six Mk 82 bombs can be shipped on a pallet, three Mk 83 bombs can be shipped on a pallet, and two Mk 84 bombs can be shipped on a pallet. Refer to Airborne Weapons Packaging/Handling/Stowage, NAVAIR 11-120A-1.1 or appropriate MIL-STD for more information on shipping configurations. FUZE WELLS The bomb body is designed with a nose and tail fuze well. These wells are internally threaded to receive either mechanical or electric fuzes. FUZE CHARGING CIRCUIT The forward and aft charging tubes are installed at the factory and contain the electric fuze wire harness. When electric fuzing is used, the wire harness provides a path for the charging current from the fuze-charging receptacle to the forward and aft fuze wells. SUSPENSION LUGS There are two suspension lug wells for the installation of suspension lugs. The suspension lugs are 1-17