M134 bomblet
TheM134 bombletwas a U.S. chemicalsub-munitiondesigned for use in theHonest John rocketduring the 1950s. The weapon was never mass-produced and was supplanted in 1964 by an improved design, theM139.
History
[edit]The M134 bomblet, developed as the E130, or E130R1 bomblet,[1]began development in the early 1950s.[2]While the weapon was not yet battle-ready, or ready for mass-production, in 1960, work on the bomblet dated back to at least 1953.[2]By 1964 the bomblet design had been improved and the smaller M139 was adapted for use with the rocket warheads utilized by the M134.[3]Thus, the M134 was never mass-produced; by the time the missile warhead and the M134 were ready for production they had been supplanted.[1]
Specifications
[edit]The M134 bomblet was designed for the M190Honest John rocketwarhead.[1]The bomblets carriedsarinnerve agentand after the missile was fired the bomblets were released 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above their target.[1]At the time of the sub-munitions' release a mechanical time fuze would cut the warhead's skin and the bomblets were released.[1]The weapon could effectively saturate an area 3,300 feet (1,000 m) in diameter withchemical agent.[1]
The Honest John held 356 of the 115 mm M134s.[1]The spherical M134 was 4.5 inches around and constructed of ribbed steel. Its interior held about 1.1 pounds (0.50 kg) ofsarin(GB).[2]TheU.S. Army Chemical Corpsoriginally planned to use the M134 as aVXdispersement method also, but later regarded this use as ineffective and scrapped the plan.[2]
Issues
[edit]The warhead meant to carry the M134 was classified and went into production on April 14, 1960; the M134, however, was not yet ready for production.[2]The M134 had a host of issues which impeded its development. Problems with the fuze system, and a tendency toward unacceptable pressure build-up in filled munitions were among the problems encountered during development.[2]The problems with the M134 delayed the rocket-delivered nerve agent program.[2]By 1964 the successorM139 bombletwas ready for production.[3]The M139 was superior to the M134: its glide angle of 22° allowed it better agent coverage.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdefghKirby, Reid. "The CB Battlefield Legacy: Understanding the Potential Problem of Clustered CB WeaponsArchived2012-10-19 at theWayback Machine",Army Chemical Review,pp. 25-29, July-December 2006, accessed January 5, 2009.
- ^abcdefg"Summary of Major Events and Problems - United States Army Chemical Corps: Fiscal Year 1960",April 1961 U.S. Army Chemical Corps Historical Office, via Office of Scientific & Technical Information,U.S. Department of Energy,accessed January 5, 2009.
- ^abSmart, Jeffery K.Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological WarfareArchived2012-08-26 at theWayback Machine:Chapter 2 - History of Chemical and Biological Warfare: An American Perspective, (PDFArchived2015-09-23 at theWayback Machine:p. 51),Borden Institute,Textbooks of Military Medicine, PDF viaMaxwell-Gunter Air Force Base,accessed January 5, 2009.