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CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon

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The CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon is an air-dropped guided bomb containing metal penetrator rods of various sizes. It was designed to attack targets where an explosive effect may be undesirable, such as fuel storage tanks or chemical weapon stockpiles[1] in civilian areas.[2]

Overview

The weapon consists of a Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser-equipped SUU-66/B Tactical Munitions Dispenser containing 3,750 non-explosive steel and tungsten penetrator rods of various sizes. There is no other version of the CBU-107. The weapon is notable for the speed with which it was developed and fielded, a total of 98 days.[3] This was to meet an urgent operation requirement and earned the development team several awards.[4] The CBU-107 is designed to perform effects based warfare, where a strategically valuable battlefield “effect” is achieved without having to damage large portions of the infrastructure in the attacked area. The penetrating rods range in size from several inches to over a foot long and can disable targets like fuel tanks, antennas, or even a helicopter without necessarily harming nearby people. The effect of a PAW rod impacting is similar to that of an armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot penetrator fired from a tank gun; if they are released from a high enough altitude to reach terminal velocity, they release a large amount of heat in a confined area extremely fast that vaporizes and melts through the small area.[1]

Combat history

The CBU-107 was first used in an attack on the Iraqi Ministry of Information on March 28, 2003, during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The targets were two antenna arrays, which were both destroyed with little damage to the MOI or adjacent buildings.[5]

Specifications

  • Guidance: INS
  • Payload:
    • 350 35.56 cm (14-inch) tungsten rods
    • 1,000 17.8 cm (7-inch) tungsten rods
    • 2,400 5.1 cm (2-inch) steel rods

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Air Force Developed Bombs Capable of Destroying Syria’s Chemical Weapons - Defensetech.org, 30 August 2013
  2. ^ "CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon (WCMD) - Global Security".
  3. ^ "Crash program at Eglin produced non-explosive weapon used in Iraq".
  4. ^ "LOCKHEED MARTIN JOINS TEAM IN CELEBRATING PRESTIGIOUS PACKARD AND WELCH ACQUISITION AWARDS".[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Off Target: The Conduct of the War and Civilian Casualties in Iraq: II. CONDUCT OF THE AIR WAR".
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