General Purpose Bombs

MK80 Series (500-2000lb) general purpose bombs used in most bombing operations. Their cases (bomb body) are aerodynamically designed and are relatively light. General purpose bombs may be used with both nose and tail mechanical or electronic fuzes and conical or retarding fins.

PD Joint Bombs is also the Acquisition Manager for the BLU-110 (1000lb), BLU-111 (500lb) and BLU-117 (2000lb) General Purpose Bombs.

BLU-110 (1000lb) Bomb

The BLU-110 General Purpose bomb is identical to the MK83 MOD 5 bomb, with the exception of the explosive filler. The primary users are the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. This bomb has a slender body made of steel with a well in the nose section for a proximity sensor, mechanical fuze and adapter booster, or a penetrating nose plug; and a well in the aft section for a tail electric fuze. It uses either a conical or retarding fin, or laser/GPS guidance airfoil kit, or a mine kit.

BLU-111 (500lb) Bomb

The BLU-111 General Purpose bomb is identical to the MK82 MOD 2 bomb, with the exception of the explosive filler. The primary users are the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. This bomb has a slender body made of steel with a well in the nose section for a proximity sensor, mechanical fuze and adapter booster, or a penetrating nose plug; and a well in the aft section for a tail electric fuze. It uses either a conical, non-retard, or retarding fin, or laser/GPS guidance airfoil kit, or a mine kit.

BLU-117 (2000lb) Bomb

The BLU-117 General Purpose Bomb is identical to the 2000lb class MK 84 bomb, with the exception of the explosive filler. The primary users are the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. This bomb has a slender body made of steel with a well in the nose section for a proximity sensor, mechanical fuze and adapter booster, or a penetrating nose plug; and a well in the aft section for a tail electronic fuze. It is compatible with proximity sensor and mechanical/electrical/electronic fuzes. It uses a conical fin or laser/GPS guidance airfoil kit or mine kit.

MK 81 (250lb) Bomb

The MK81 is designed for soft, fragment sensitive targets such as troops, POL, and radars. The Air Force is the primary user. This weapon is not intended for hard targets or penetrations.

MK82 (500lb) Bomb

The MK82 is designed for soft, fragment sensitive targets such as troops, POL, and radars. The Air Force is the primary user. This weapon is not intended for hard targets or penetrations.

MK83 (1000lb) Bomb

The MK83 is designed for soft, fragment sensitive targets such as troops, POL, and radars. The Navy is the primary user. This weapon is not intended for hard targets or penetrations.

MK84 (2000lb) Bomb w/JDAM

The MK84 is designed for soft and intermediately protected targets. The destruction mechanism of the MK84 is blast and fragmentation. Ideal targets for this weapon are buildings, rail yards, and lines of communication. 

Inert Bombs

Inert bombs use MK80 series bomb cases and are loaded with cement fill to replicate the flight characteristics of the live version of the bomb.  These bombs are used for training by both the USAF and the Navy.

BLU-129/B (500lb) Bomb

The BLU-129/B is a low collateral damage weapon made from a carbon-fiber composite case for low fragmentation. The BLU-129/B bomb has the equivalent outer mold line and mass properties to a standard MK82 General Purpose Bomb and is compatible with inventory laser/GPS/INS guidance kits and fuzes. The Air Force is the primary user. 

Penetrator Bombs

Bombs designed to penetrate intact into the interior of hardened targets, where the warhead then explodes, ensuring target destruction. PD Joint Bombs is the acquisition manager for the BLU-109 (2000lb).

 

BLU-109 (2000lb) Bomb

The BLU-109 is a 2000lb class hard target penetrator warhead. The BLU-109/B and BLU-109C/B are used by the Air force; the BLU-109A/B is the Navy version. The BLU-109 body is a thick casing of forged gun-barrel hardened steel and is approximately twice the thickness of the MK84. It is typically detonated by an FMU-143 series tail fuze. 

Cast Ductile Iron Practice Bombs

Full scale inert practice bombs which simulate the ballistic properties of tactical General Purpose Bombs used by the Air Force and Navy.

 

BDU-50 (500lb) Bomb

The BDU-50 is a 500lb. practice bomb, an inert version of the MK82.  This inert bomb uses a thick wall and no-filler to replicate the mass and center of gravity effects of live MK82/BLU-111 bombs.  The bomb is manufactured as a forged configuration and manufactured as a cast ductile iron configuration.  

Small Practice Bombs

Non-lethal munitions that have the ballistic characteristics of the full sized weapon and are a vital part of training. The MK76 and BDU-33 simulate 500lb MK82 and 2000lb MK84 general purpose, non guided bombs in low drag configuration.

MK76 (25lb) is used by Navy, BDU-33 (25lb) is used by Air Force.

 

BDU-33 (25lb) Bomb

The BDU-33 is a tear drop shaped practice bomb that simulates a MK82 low drag configuration. It utilizes a signal cartridge as a spotting charge to display target marking. When the bomb is released from the aircraft it free falls until impact. Upon impact the bomb drives a firing pin assembly against a primer activating the signal cartridge. The resulting flash and puff of smoke permits visual evaluation of accuracy. The Navy’s bomb configuration with similar function is the MK76 but has different dimensional attributes.

MK76 (25lb) Bomb

The MK 76 is a tear drop shaped practice bomb that simulates a MK82 low drag configuration used by the Navy. It is similar to the Air Forces’ BDU-33. It utilizes the M4 or CXU-3 signal cartridges as a spotting charge to display target marking. Upon impact the bomb drives a firing pin assembly against a primer activating the signal charge. The resulting flash and puff of smoke permits visual evaluation of accuracy.

Signal Cartridges

MK4-3 Signal Cartridge

The MK4-3 Signal Cartridge MK4-3 (flame/hot) provides a signal of white smoke and a fire flame.  These signal cartridges can be deployed during day or nighttime exercises. They are used with practice bombs to mark the impact location of the bomb for training purposes.  The MK4-3 Signal Cartridge is currently used by the Navy.

CXU-3 Signal Cartridge

The CXU-3 Signal Cartridge (smoke/cold) signals is used on practice bombs to mark the location of bomb impact during training. The CXU-3 is fire-free and produces large plumes of white smoke, which gives it good daytime visibility. The signals are installed in the bomb prior to deployment on to the aircraft.  The CXU-3 Signal Cartridge is used by both Navy and Air Force.

Fins

Conventional fins stabilize the bomb as it free falls following separation from the aircraft. Fins cause the bomb to fall in a smooth, definite curve to the target, instead of tumbling through the air. The Air Force and Navy also attach Precision guidance packages to their bombs allowing precise targeting. Fins utilized with these precision guidance packages are designed to stabilize as well as to help glide the bomb to the target. Joint Bombs items in this category include conventional fins used with the MK80 series general purpose bombs.

 

BSU-33 Fin Assembly

The BSU-33 fin assembly attaches to the MK82/BLU-111 (500lb) general purpose bombs and BDU-50 cast-ductile iron bomb. The assembly is steel, conical in shape, and has four fins to provide stability. It’s delivered as a separate item to the service for final installation to the bomb.

MK84 Fin Assembly

The MK84 Fin Assembly attaches to the 2000 pound, General Purpose MK84/BLU-117 Bomb to provide stabilized flight. The MK84 Fin is approximately 114 pounds, made from heavy gage steel, and delivered as a separate item to the service for final installation to the bomb.

.

Suspension Lugs

Suspension lugs are used to attach the weapon to the aircraft bomb racks. An internally threaded well for the installation of a hoisting lug is located between the suspension lugs, at the center-of-gravity position on the bomb. The hoisting lug is used for handling purposes only. Joint Bombs items in this category include lugs for general purpose, penetrator and practice bombs.

MK3

General suspension lug used on 2000lb general purpose bombs.

MK14

Used to secure the MK76 Practice bomb to the aircraft.

MS3314

General suspension lug used on 500 and 1000lb general purpose bombs.

Nose Plugs

 

MXU-735

The MXU-735 solid nose plug is designed to provide better penetration of hard targets, without the likelihood of nose plug shearing during oblique impact. The MXU-735 replaces the ogive nose plug and support cup.

Nose Plug & Support Cup

The nose closing plug and support cup are used on MK80 Series (500-2000lb) general purpose bombs to prevent fuze well collapse on impact when nose fuzing is not utilized.  If the nose fuze well were to collapse on impact, a low order detonation may occur.  In addition, the nose closing plug may be used in cement-filled bombs to prevent cement particles from being ingested into aircraft engines.

Cables

The M70 Series Cables are used to transfer fuze commands and power from the aircraft to the bomb fuze. The cable variations are identical except for different lengths to accommodate different sized bombs.

M72: 500lb bombs (MK82)
M73: 1,000lb bombs (MK83)
M74A: 2,000lb bombs (MK84)
 

Pallets

The MK3, and slightly smaller MK12, are galvanized metal pallets with a maximum capacity of 4,000 pounds.  The Navy and Army use the pallets to store and ship items such as MK76 Small Practice Bombs, BSU-33 bomb fins, Hydra 2.75” Rockets, and medium caliber ammunition.

MK3-0 Pallets: 48” x 40” x 4.75”
MK12-1 Pallets: 45.5” x 35” x 4.75”