01 ANATOMY OF A CLUSTER BOMB
CBU-87 COMBINED EFFECTS MUNITION (CROSS-SECTION)
A
Proximity Fuze
Radar or barometric sensor detects altitude. Triggers dispenser at pre-set height (150–1000m) to maximize dispersal area.
B
Outer Shell
Thin metal casing that fractures on command. Opens longitudinally along seam lines, releasing all submunitions simultaneously.
C
Submunitions
Packed in stacked rows. A single canister carries 40–650+ bomblets. Each is an independent weapon with its own fuze.
D
Stabilizing Fins
Aerodynamic fins maintain stable trajectory. Some designs use retarding parachutes or ribbon chutes instead.
E
Dispenser Mechanism
Pyrotechnic charge splits the casing open. Sets submunitions spinning for centrifugal arming during dispersal.
02 DEPLOYMENT SEQUENCE — INTERACTIVE
PHASE 1 — RELEASE: Aircraft deploys cluster munition from altitude of 300–5000m. Bomb follows ballistic trajectory. Fuze activates immediately upon release.
03 BY THE NUMBERS
650+
Max submunitions per canister
30%
Avg dud rate (fail to detonate)
30ha
Coverage area per canister
25yr
Unexploded bomblets remain active
98%
Civilian casualties from duds
111+
Countries signed CCM ban (2008)
04 SUBMUNITION TYPES
Anti-Personnel
Fragmentation submunitions designed to kill or wound over a wide radius. Hundreds of steel fragments on detonation. Lethal radius: 15–50m.
Incendiary
Thermite or phosphorus-based. Ignites on impact destroying equipment and infrastructure. Burns at 2,500°C.
Anti-Armor
Shaped-charge warheads (EFPs) designed to penetrate armored vehicles. Spin-armed during descent via ribbon chutes.
Combined Effects
Multi-purpose units with fragmentation, shaped-charge, and incendiary effects. The CBU-87 carries 202 of these.
Sensor-Fuzed
IR/radar sensors detect vehicle heat signatures below. Deploy a self-forging projectile on acquisition.
Dud / UXO
Failed bomblets become de-facto landmines. Triggered by touch, they remain lethal for decades after conflict ends.
05 AREA COVERAGE & DISPERSAL PATTERN
DETONATED SUBMUNITIONS
DUDS (UNEXPLODED)
BLAST RADIUS ZONE
06 THE DUD PROBLEM — UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE
Submunitions that fail to detonate on impact become de-facto landmines. Their bright colors and small size make them especially dangerous to children.
CASUALTY SPLIT: MILITARY vs CIVILIAN (POST-CONFLICT UXO)
07 HUMANITARIAN IMPACT
CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS
Adopted in 2008, the CCM prohibits the use, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions. 111+ states have ratified. Major non-signatories include the USA, Russia, China, Israel, India, and Pakistan.
CONTAMINATED NATIONS
Over 30 countries remain contaminated with unexploded submunitions. Laos has been clearing bomblets for 50+ years — contamination persists on ~30% of its land.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Cluster munition remnants block agricultural land and cause casualties for generations. A single conflict can burden a nation with decades of costly clearance operations.