M117 bomb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids M117 |
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| 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 |
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| Maximum firing range | changes by method of employment |
| Warhead | Tritonal |
| Warhead weight | 183 Kg |
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| 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.
Contents
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.
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
In Spanish: Bomba M117 para niños
