4 ms·
Improvised plunger-type fuzes depend on the bomb(let) falling straight down. This ensures that occurs, but takes up very little packing space compared to a more
by aerostable_slug 1y ago
Improvised plunger-type fuzes depend on the bomb(let) falling straight down. This ensures that occurs, but takes up very little packing space compared to a more conventional empennage. A straight up-and-down attitude also tends to increase the efficiency of fragmentation bomb(let)s.
Secondarily, slowing the weapon can be useful for low flying platforms. Retarded bombs use spring-loaded airbrakes, inflatable ballutes, and/or parachutes to slow the weapon enough to allow the bomber to escape damage.
- pfdietz 1y agoExample: parafrag bombs in WW2, extensively used against soft targets. The USAAF found them three times more effective than fin stabilized fragmentation bombs of the same size. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRJHMtWoQ28 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRJHMtWoQ28
- anigbrowl 1y agoI hear you, but I also look at how bombs are typically being used in Ukraine; they're small enough not to present any risk to the drone that's dropping them vertically usually on unfortunate individual soldiers).