Why are cluster bombs banned?

Why are cluster bombs banned?

Cluster munitions are prohibited for two main reasons. First, they spread multiple bomblets or submunitions indiscriminately over a wide area, which can be devastating for civilians caught in a strike. There have been no reports or allegations of new use or production of cluster munitions by any party to the treaty.

Which submunitions are loaded into a CBU 87 cluster bomb?

The CBU-87 CEM comprises the SUU-64/B Tactical Munitions Dispenser, the FZU-39 proximity fuze, and 202 BLU-97/B Combined Effect Bomb submunitions.

Are cluster bombs banned in war?

The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) is an international treaty that prohibits all use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster bombs, a type of explosive weapon which scatters submunitions (“bomblets”) over an area.

Is white phosphorus banned?

The use of white phosphorus is not banned under international convention when it is used as an obscurant – to make a smokescreen or to illuminate a target (white phosphorus glows green when exposed to oxygen). To use it for incendiary weapons in civilian areas is banned under the Geneva convention.

How much does a 500 lb bomb cost?

Mark 82 bomb

Mark 82 General Purpose (GP) Bomb
Unit cost $2,082.50 (in 2001)
Variants GBU-12 Paveway II GBU-38 JDAM
Specifications
Mass 500 pounds (227 kg)

What is a JDAM missile?

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or “dumb bombs”, into all-weather precision-guided munitions. The JDAM is not a stand-alone weapon; rather it is a “bolt-on” guidance package that converts unguided gravity bombs into precision-guided munitions (PGMs).

What does CBU stand for in bombs?

Cluster Bomb Unit
The CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition (CEM) is a cluster bomb used by the United States Air Force, developed by Aerojet General/Honeywell and introduced in 1986 to replace the earlier cluster bombs used in the Vietnam War. CBU stands for Cluster Bomb Unit.

How big is a CBU-87 Combined Effects Bomb?

Each CBU-87 consists of an SUU-65B canister, a fuze with 12 time delay options and 202 submunitions (or bomblets) designated BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomb. Each bomblet is a yellow cylinder with a length of 20 centimeters and a diameter of 6 centimeters.

What does CBU stand for in cluster bomb?

The CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition is a cluster bomb used by the United States Air Force, developed by Aerojet General/Honeywell and introduced in 1986 to replace the earlier cluster bombs used in the Vietnam War. CBU stands for Cluster Bomb Unit.

Who is the manufacturer of the BL755 cluster bomb?

The BL755 is manufactured by Hunting Engineering. The BL755 cluster bomb was originally designed for low-altitude delivery only, and in the Gulf war proved ineffective for medium-altitude strikes. During the war, the RAF used U.S. CBU-87s.

Which is the newest type of cluster bomb?

The U.S. CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition (CEM) is the newest standard air-delivered cluster bomb unit (CBU) in the U.S. arsenal. 46 It has been in the U.S. Air Force inventory since 1986 (and in production since 1984), and has replaced aging and less effective Vietnam-era cluster bomb units and antitank mines.