Air-To-Surface Weapons (Missiles and Guided Bombs) General Discussion

[Army of One]

Have read reports of the Israelis in the 80's using Maverick's with inert warheads in the Bekka valley as against soft targets like a radar truck the Kenetic energy was enough to destroy the target.

And against tanks apparently......so they could be salvaged and reused........I think the Iranians used live rounds from F4 against fast patrol boats as well

[MikeD]

Have read reports of the Israelis in the 80's using Maverick's with inert warheads in the Bekka valley as against soft targets like a radar truck the Kenetic energy was enough to destroy the target.

And against tanks apparently......so they could be salvaged and reused........I think the Iranians used live rounds from F4 against fast patrol boats as well

The RAF used concrete bombs (literally concrete shaped as a 1,000lb bomb with a Paveway package for guidance) against armour in the 2003 Gulf War and on Op Ellamy (Libya). I believe the French used them over Libya too. They spoil the day for any vehicle they hit but there's no explosion to cause collateral damage and no UXOs to deal with post conflict.

I think they're painted blue to show they're inert.

[NARSES2]

I knew the R.A.F. had used guided concrete bombs in Iraq against bunkers, especially in built up areas (minimise collateral damage) but didn't know they'd been used against armour. Interesting 

[MikeD]

The story about French use in Libya says they 'crushed an armoured vehicle'

http://www.defensetech.org/2011/04/29/france-using-concrete-bombs-in-libya/

[DarrenP2]

RAF also used them in Bosnia against the serbs

[zenrat]

So is the casing going to burst and concrete shrapnel pepper the surroundings or would they remain intact(ish)?

[rickshaw]

So is the casing going to burst and concrete shrapnel pepper the surroundings or would they remain intact(ish)?

The bombs are completely inert, concrete, practice rounds containing no HE filling.   They are meant to mimic the loaded weight of a complete, HE bomb.  Their inertial energy matches the terminal velocity of a 1,000lb bomb.

[zenrat]

So is the casing going to burst and concrete shrapnel pepper the surroundings or would they remain intact(ish)?

The bombs are completely inert, concrete, practice rounds containing no HE filling.   They are meant to mimic the loaded weight of a complete, HE bomb.  Their inertial energy matches the terminal velocity of a 1,000lb bomb.

Yes, but what happens when while they are travelling at that terminal velocity they stop suddenly because they have hit a tank?
I'm not suggesting they "explode" like they would if they had an explosive filling but if I climb onto my roof and throw a concrete tile down onto the patio its going to shatter and bits are going to fly everywhere and an observer might describe that as an explosion (they would also probably describe Mrs z's reaction as explosive!).
Does the casing burst and bits of concrete shrapnel fly out or does it remain intact for later reuse?
Obviously the guidance package is a total loss and I would imagine the casing would be looking rather second hand as well but does it retain containment?

[scooter]

So is the casing going to burst and concrete shrapnel pepper the surroundings or would they remain intact(ish)?

The bombs are completely inert, concrete, practice rounds containing no HE filling.   They are meant to mimic the loaded weight of a complete, HE bomb.  Their inertial energy matches the terminal velocity of a 1,000lb bomb.

Yes, but what happens when while they are travelling at that terminal velocity they stop suddenly because they have hit a tank?
I'm not suggesting they "explode" like they would if they had an explosive filling but if I climb onto my roof and throw a concrete tile down onto the patio its going to shatter and bits are going to fly everywhere and an observer might describe that as an explosion (they would also probably describe Mrs z's reaction as explosive!).
Does the casing burst and bits of concrete shrapnel fly out or does it remain intact for later reuse?
Obviously the guidance package is a total loss and I would imagine the casing would be looking rather second hand as well but does it retain containment?

IIRC, the BDU-25 and 50s tend to not be reusable.  At least when the 119th FS drops them at Warren Grove Range. 

[rickshaw]

So is the casing going to burst and concrete shrapnel pepper the surroundings or would they remain intact(ish)?

The bombs are completely inert, concrete, practice rounds containing no HE filling.   They are meant to mimic the loaded weight of a complete, HE bomb.  Their inertial energy matches the terminal velocity of a 1,000lb bomb.

Yes, but what happens when while they are travelling at that terminal velocity they stop suddenly because they have hit a tank?
I'm not suggesting they "explode" like they would if they had an explosive filling but if I climb onto my roof and throw a concrete tile down onto the patio its going to shatter and bits are going to fly everywhere and an observer might describe that as an explosion (they would also probably describe Mrs z's reaction as explosive!).
Does the casing burst and bits of concrete shrapnel fly out or does it remain intact for later reuse?
Obviously the guidance package is a total loss and I would imagine the casing would be looking rather second hand as well but does it retain containment?

I suspect that they are not reusable nor are they intended to be.  They would tend to shatter into big lumps of rather hard concrete when they meet the immovable object which fly around at a fairly large velocity.

[zenrat]

OK, thanks.

Now I need to work out how to depict them in 1/72.  They have to be obviously concrete bombs.
Maybe make some small decals of "BORAL" (or BLUE CIRCLE in the UK) stencils for them?

[rickshaw]

OK, thanks.

Now I need to work out how to depict them in 1/72.  They have to be obviously concrete bombs.
Maybe make some small decals of "BORAL" (or BLUE CIRCLE in the UK) stencils for them?

Paint them blue and have the word "inert" or "practice" on their side.

[zenrat]

That would work but I was really wanting a way to show they were going to be dropped in anger on the enemy rather than on a range.

[NARSES2]

That would work but I was really wanting a way to show they were going to be dropped in anger on the enemy rather than on a range.

I like the "Blue Circle" idea but you could also put some Graffiti on them as well, "Take that (insert suitable target here)" and that would denote use in anger ?

[Gondor]

That would work but I was really wanting a way to show they were going to be dropped in anger on the enemy rather than on a range.

I like the "Blue Circle" idea but you could also put some Graffiti on them as well, "Take that (insert suitable target here)" and that would denote use in anger ?

I would go with what NARSES2 said. Its what was done in real life although I have no pictorial proof.

Gondor