BLU-118
The BLU-118 (also BLU-118 / B ) is a bunker-breaking warhead with a thermobaric effect . It has only been used by the United States Armed Forces to date .
description
The BLU-118 is one of the first warheads for fighting bunkers, which is designed as a thermobaric weapon. Therefore, it is not designed to penetrate deep into the ground or into concrete, as is the case with conventional weapons. Instead, a small pre-charge detonates in the immediate vicinity of the bunker entrance, which spreads a cloud of combustible material and an oxidizer. A few fractions of a second later this mixture is ignited, with a strong pressure wave and an intense fire penetrating the bunker, so that people and material are killed or destroyed even at a great distance from the detonation point.
The bomb body is the same as that of the BLU-109 , but it is equipped with the described thermobaric warhead instead of normal explosives. In addition, the detonator (designation: FMU-143 / B) was modified to ensure the correct weapon effect. The BLU-118 bomb body can be equipped with any control kit intended for the BLU-109 and is also compatible with the corresponding carrier platforms.
The weapon was developed in just two months, as it was immediately needed in late 2001 for combating Taliban bunkers as part of the war in Afghanistan . The first deployment took place in December 2001, the final integration was completed in January 2002. The BLU-118 is provided by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency , nothing is known about the companies involved.
Technical specifications
- Weight: 895 kg
- Including explosives: 255 kg
- Length: 2.50 m
- Diameter: 36.8 cm
- Available steering systems: AGM-130 , GBU-15 , GBU-24 , GBU-27 , GBU-28