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FUEL-AIR BOMB --- KABOOOOOOOOM
DOD INFO ^ | 1998 | John Pike

Posted on 09/19/2001 2:19:59 PM PDT by doug from upland

GRAPHICS HERE

CBU-72 / BLU-73/B Fuel/Air Explosive (FAE) - Dumb Bombs

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CBU-72 / BLU-73/B Fuel/Air Explosive (FAE)

The the 550-pound CBU-72 cluster bomb contains three submunitions known as fuel/air explosive (FAE). The submunitions weigh approximately 100 pounds and contain 75 pounds of ethylene oxide with air-burst fuzing set for 30 feet. An aerosol cloud approximately 60 feet in diameter and 8 feet thick is created and ignited by an embedded detonator to produce an explosion. This cluster munition is effective against minefields, armored vehicles, aircraft parked in the open, and bunkers.

During Desert Storm the Marine Corps dropped all 254 CBU-72s, primarily from A-6Es, against mine fields and personnel in trenches. Some secondary explosions were noted when it was used as a mine clearer; however, FAE was primarily useful as a psychological weapon. Second-generation FAE weapons were developed from the FAE I type devices (CBU-55/72) used in Vietnam.

Specifications

Weight: 500 pounds
Length: 85.6 inches
Diameter: 14 inches
Guidance: None
Control: None
Autopilot: None
Propulsion: None
Warhead: 3 BLU-73/B Fuel
Fuse: Mark 339 Mod 0 Mechanical
Aircraft


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous
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I think these and bunker busters can do the job. I really hope we are not forced to use nukes.
1 posted on 09/19/2001 2:19:59 PM PDT by doug from upland
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To: doug from upland
LET'S ROLL
2 posted on 09/19/2001 2:28:33 PM PDT by aught-6
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To: doug from upland
Also go

www.jedonline.com

and do search.

3 posted on 09/19/2001 2:31:23 PM PDT by pabianice
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To: doug from upland
This is a photograph of the weapon.
4 posted on 09/19/2001 2:42:27 PM PDT by GalvestonBeachcomber
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To: doug from upland
This cluster munition is effective against minefields, armored vehicles, aircraft parked in the open, and bunkers.

I guess that Old Smelly bin Ladens "hunker in the bunker" dance could end with a bang.

What a shame....

NOT!

5 posted on 09/19/2001 2:55:30 PM PDT by Hoosier Patriot
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To: all
just what the Doctor ordered
6 posted on 09/19/2001 2:57:43 PM PDT by Husker24
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To: doug from upland
When the fuel-air bombs were first used in Viet Nam, they were so big they needed to be rolled out the back of a C-130. The effect resembled a tactical nuke, so accuracy was no problem.
7 posted on 09/19/2001 3:02:50 PM PDT by R. Scott
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To: doug from upland
Two important points should be noted.

1. Within the radius of the blast cloud, the detonation velocity approaches that of a nuclear blast.

2. Immediately following the high pressure blast wave, a large vacuum is created which has been known to empty the contents of trenchlines and TUNNELS with extreme prejudice. The victims often are found to have lethal diaphram ruptures, along with torn eardrums and concussions.

Osama and co. will soon feel like a dog that finally caught a truck !

Good choice of weapons, Doug !

8 posted on 09/19/2001 3:04:13 PM PDT by SENTINEL
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To: doug from upland
During Desert Storm the Marine Corps dropped all 254 CBU-72s, primarily from A-6Es

That would be the A-6E Grumman "Intruder", a plane that has since been foolishly retired from active duty.

9 posted on 09/19/2001 3:09:05 PM PDT by connectthedots
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To: SENTINEL
Two important points should be noted.

1. Within the radius of the blast cloud, the detonation velocity approaches that of a nuclear blast.

2. Immediately following the high pressure blast wave, a large vacuum is created which has been known to empty the contents of trenchlines and TUNNELS with extreme prejudice. The victims often are found to have lethal diaphram ruptures, along with torn eardrums and concussions.

Just in case the Taliban has a properly-constructed shelter somewhere with overpressure-resistant ventilation I suggest Lockheed gin up a few more GBU-28's.

10 posted on 09/19/2001 3:10:33 PM PDT by Crusader Rabbit
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To: connectthedots
Is this the twin rear engine, twin tail boom planes? I thought I ask a question earlier if the Russians used cluster bombs or FAE bombs in Afghanistan? Anybody know.

This is not just about Afghanistan or Bin Laden, it's about Western civilization against Islam, Islamic fundamentalism and the Arab world. These people will NEVER, NEVER make accomodation or peace with us and will never, never accept us or our way of life.

11 posted on 09/19/2001 3:37:02 PM PDT by garyhope
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To: Crusader Rabbit

COME GET SOME

12 posted on 09/19/2001 3:42:51 PM PDT by ZOOKER
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To: garyhope
No, it's this critter...


13 posted on 09/19/2001 3:55:09 PM PDT by Mr. Thorne
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To: garyhope
You're thinking of the A-10 Warthog.
14 posted on 09/19/2001 3:59:21 PM PDT by Trinity5
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To: Crusader Rabbit
GBU-28 (Originally made from old howitzer cannon barrels) (Two were dropped in Desert Storm)
15 posted on 09/19/2001 4:06:13 PM PDT by blam
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To: doug from upland
I think these and bunker busters can do the job. I really hope we are not forced to use nukes.

Well, we have options, including nuclear.

This Fuel-Air bomb does seem to be a little more precise and very effective.

16 posted on 09/19/2001 4:06:41 PM PDT by LibKill
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To: ZOOKER
ohh...thats gotta hurt!

You can run bin-laden, but you can't hide!

17 posted on 09/19/2001 4:12:43 PM PDT by Walkin Man
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To: garyhope
Loaded for bear during Desert Storm.


18 posted on 09/19/2001 9:38:00 PM PDT by SMEDLEYBUTLER
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To: Mr. Thorne, Doug from Upland
If you remember the book Flight of the Intruder, some of the events, such as the A6 returning with a wounded pilot and navigator, one of whom died, was actually a true event involving VA-115. My father ADCS Floyd "Rattlesnake" Railsback was the maintenance Chief during that time with VA-115, a period in which VA-115 completed 97% of all scheduled sorties, a remarkable accomplishment never previously or sense been equalled in an A6 squadron.
19 posted on 09/19/2001 11:42:50 PM PDT by connectthedots
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To: connectthedots
Wow. Thanks for the anecdote.
20 posted on 09/19/2001 11:47:44 PM PDT by doug from upland
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