U.S. to supply cluster bombs to Ukraine

The U.S. believes cluster munitions could be critical for Ukraine against entrenched Russian positions, but they are banned in over 120 countries for causing indiscriminate civilian fatalities


M483A1 High explosive dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM)

155mm howitzer-launched projectile
Fuze assembly
Explosive charge

88 x M42/46 submunitions
Armour-defeating, anti-personnel bomblets

                    
1 Timed charge detonates outer casing

2 Bomblets released over wide area

3 Nylon streamer – deploys in flight to create spin and stabilise fall of bomblet


Impact-inertia fuze
Ribbon stabiliser
Shaped charge


“DUD” RATE  
Significant number do not explode on initial impact.
International Red Cross found failure – or “dud” – rate of 10-40% in recent conflicts

Dud

M42/46: Typical dud rate <2.35%

Permitted for export: <1%


2021: Of 141 casualties from cluster bomb remnants, 97% were civilian


Sources: Global Security, CAT-UXO 
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