Cluster bombs are complex weapons.
The following sequence explains its functioning and why bomblets cover a large area.
- © Handicap International
Step 1
The cluster bomb CBU-87 is dropped from a plane. It weighs about 430 kg and carries about 200 bomblets. This bomb can be dropped from a wide range of aircrafts from many different countries. The bomb can fly about 9 miles by itself before the bomblets are released.
- © Handicap International
Step 2
A short time before the bomblets are released the cluster bombs begin to spin. The canister opens at an altitude between 100m and 1000m. The height, velocity and rotation speed determine what area will be covered by the bomblets.
- © Handicap International
Step 3
Each bomblet is the size of a soft drink can. They deploy a little parachute that stabilizes them and makes sure that they descend with their nose down. Each of the bomblets holds hundreds of metal pieces, which can pierce armour.
- © Handicap International
Step 4
Depending on the altitude from which the bomblets were released and on the wind conditions, the bomblets can cover an area of up to 200m by 400 m.
When the bomblets explode, they cause injury and damage across a wide area. The blast of one bomblet can cause deadly shrapnel injuries of in a radius of up to 25 metres.
- © Collins Bartolomew Limited (2005); Reproduced by permission of Harper Collins Publishers Limited and Multimap.com
Footprint area
This map shows the area of Trafalgar Square, London.
It illustrates the radius of the bomblets.
One cluster bomb could spread bomblets covering the red area.
The green area shows the radius in which the bomblets could cause fatal injuries
