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M117 bomb facts for kids

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M117
M117 bomb.jpg
Type free-fall general-purpose bomb
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service 1950's–present
Used by United States
Wars Korean War , Vietnam War
Production history
Variants M117R, M117D
Specifications
Mass 340 kg
Length 2.06 m-2.16 m
Diameter 408 mm

Maximum firing range changes by method of employment
Warhead Tritonal
Warhead weight 183 Kg

Wingspan 520 mm

The M117 is a type of bomb used by the United States military. It is dropped from airplanes. This bomb is called a "general-purpose bomb." This means it is designed to cause damage to many different kinds of targets.

The M117 bomb was first used in the Korean War in the early 1950s. It is still in use today.

What is the M117 Bomb?

The M117 is a bomb that falls freely from an aircraft. It does not have its own engine or guidance system. Its main purpose is to create a large explosion and break into many pieces.

F-100D 308TFS 31TFW TuyHoa 1966
An F-100D airplane being loaded with M117 bombs in Vietnam in 1966.

How Big is It?

The M117 bomb is quite heavy. Its official weight is about 340 kilograms (750 pounds). However, its actual weight can be around 370 kilograms (820 pounds). This depends on the parts added to it, like the fuze (the part that makes it explode).

The bomb is about 2 meters (6.7 feet) long. It has a diameter of about 408 millimeters (16 inches).

What's Inside the M117?

The M117 bomb contains a powerful explosive material. It holds about 183 kilograms (403 pounds) of either Minol 2 or Tritonal. These are special mixtures of explosives.

How is it Used?

The M117 bomb can be used in different ways. For example, it can have a special tail fin. This "low-drag" tail fin helps the bomb fall smoothly. This is useful when dropping the bomb from medium or high altitude (very high up in the sky).

History and Use

The M117 bomb has been used in several major conflicts. It was first introduced during the Korean War. This war took place in the early 1950s.

Later, the M117 was also used a lot in the Vietnam War. This war happened from the 1950s to the 1970s. It was a common bomb for United States forces during these times.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bomba M117 para niños

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