AB 250-2
Cluster bomb From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cluster bomb From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The AB 250-2 (Abwurfbehälter) was a cluster bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.
| AB 250-2 | |
|---|---|
 AB 250-2 with SD 4 HL bombs at Gdańsk, Poland. | |
| Type | Cluster bomb |
| Place of origin |  Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Luftwaffe |
| Wars | World War II |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 221 kg (487 lb) |
| Length | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Diameter | 38 cm (1 ft 3 in)[1] |
The body of the AB 250-2 was constructed of mild sheet steel and was of clamshell construction and hinged at the tail. It was divided into three compartments; a dome-shaped nose compartment, a cylindrical center compartment, and a cone-shaped tail compartment. The nose compartment housed the fuze pocket which was welded to a bracket on the upper half of the container. The two halves were held together by a shear wire which passed through a steel anvil, in the lower part of the fuze pocket. When the fuze is triggered, this wire was sheared by a small exploder under the fuze. The case then opened and allowed the bombs to fall out. The tail unit had four fins that were welded to the container with braces riveted between each fin.[1]
A number of different sub-munition configurations were possible:
| Model | Length | Diameter | Weight | Explosive Weight | Explosive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SD 1 | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 50 mm (2 in) | 910 g (2 lb) | 112 g (4 oz) | TNT[2] |
| SD 1 FRZ | 154 mm (6.06 in) | 50 mm (2 in) | 500 g (1.1 lb) | 120 g (4.2 oz) | 60/40 Amatol or TNT[3] |
| SD 2 | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 76 mm (3 in) | 1.9 kg (4 lb 4 oz) | 210 g (7.5 oz) | TNT |
| SD 4 HL | 31 cm (12.3 in) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 4.2 kg (9 lb 4 oz) | 340 g (12 oz) | RDX or TNT |
| SD 10 A Type I | 55 cm (21.6 in) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 10 kg (22 lb) | 900 g (2 lb) | 60/40 Amatol or TNT |
| SD 10 A Type II | 55 cm (21.6 in) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 10 kg (22 lb) | 900 g (2 lb) | 60/40 Amatol or TNT[1] |
| 10 kg (P.A) Type I | 55 cm (21.5 in) | 90 mm (3.54 in) | 9.5 kg (21 lb) | 1.1 kg (2 lb 8 oz) | 70/30 Picric acid/Mononitronaphthalene |
| 10 kg (P.A) Type II | 55 cm (21.5 in) | 90 mm (3.54 in) | 9.5 kg (21 lb) | 1.1 kg (2 lb 8 oz) | 70/30 Picric acid/Mononitronaphthalene |
| 10 kg (P) Type I | 55 cm (21.5 in) | 90 mm (3.54 in) | 9.5 kg (21 lb) | ? | ? |
| 10 kg (P) Type II | 55 cm (21.5 in) | 90 mm (3.54 in) | 9.5 kg (21 lb) | ? | ?[4] |
| SD 10 C | 52 cm (20.5 in) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7 kg (15 lb) | 750 g (1 lb 10 oz) | ? |
SD 1 - This was a German light fragmentation bomb that may have been based on German 50 mm mortar ammunition used by the 5 cm Granatwerfer 36 which was modified by adding a new circular 8-fin tail assembly. SD 1 bombs were painted yellow.[1]
SD 2 - This was a German light anti-personnel bomb nicknamed The Butterfly Bomb due to its appearance. Depending on the fuze used it could be airburst, groundburst or used as a light anti-personnel mine with an anti-disturbance fuze.
SD 1 FRZ - This was based on captured 50 mm (2 in) mortar rounds for the Lance Grenades de 50 mm modèle 37 light mortar used by the French Army which was modified by adding a new 6-fin tail assembly. SD 1 FRZ bombs were yellowish-brown in color.[1]
SD 4 HL - This was a German HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) bomb for use against tanks and other vehicles. The HL in the name stands for (Hohlladung) or shaped charge in English. The body of the bomb was cast iron with an inverted metal cone inside and explosives were poured through the base and formed around the cone. The tail was sheet steel and was of a ring strut type with four longitudinal struts spot welded to the ring with each strut forming one tail fin. The tail was then secured to the body by means of four prongs punched into the body of the bomb. On impact, the nose fuze created an electric current which was passed via internal electric leads to the detonator which triggered the gaine and set off the main charge.[1]
SD 10 A - Was a German made fragmentation bomb and there were two variants the Type I and Type II. They differed in their construction details but their dimensions and performance were similar.
SD 10 FRZ - These were French made fragmentation bombs that the Germans captured after the Fall of France. There were two variants comprising two sub-variants.[4] The descriptions in TM 9-1985-6, French and Italian Explosive Ordnance and TM 9-1985-2, German Explosive Ordnance match the 10 kg (P) more closely than the 10 kg (P.A). However, TM 9-1985-6 makes no mention of German service for either bomb and TM 9-1985-2 only has a description with no diagram or mention of the French model designations 10 kg (P) or 10 kg (P.A). Since they had similar dimensions and performance it's possible that they both could have been used.
SD 10C - Was a German made fragmentation bomb that was constructed differently than the SD 10A but its dimensions and performance was similar. The body was constructed of cast steel with 9 annular grooves machined in the case to enhance fragmentation. The nose had a centrally located fuze and the tail was machined to form a base for the tail unit. The tail was then closed by a steel plate shrunk into position and crimped onto four indentations in the body. The tail was made of four sheet metal pressings that were riveted together. The bombs were khaki in color.[1]
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