Why do bombs have tails?

Bomb casings for unguided bombs are typically aerodynamic in shape, often with fins at the tail section, which reduce drag and increase stability after release, both of which serve to improve accuracy and consistency of trajectory.

What are the fins on a bomb called?

The fuze section can be located in the nose and/or the rear of the bomb and determines the timing of the explosion. The tail section, or fins, determines how the bomb flies through the air. Desired weapons effects are achieved by selecting a particular combination of bomb body, fuzing, and tail section.

Why do some bombs have parachutes?

Parachute bombs are usually for low-flying munitions; the parachutes enable the bombs to fall slightly slower than they would without, allowing the planes deploying them enough time to leave the blast zone, lest you want their fuselage to get blown apart as well.

What is the newest nuclear bomb?

B61-12 is the latest variant of the B61 family of air-launched nuclear gravity bombs, which have been operational with the US military since 1968. The new variant is intended to improve nuclear capabilities of the US Air Force and allied nations.

How are Bombs guided?

…the laser-guidance system, commonly called laser-guided bombs, the target is illuminated by a laser beam from the releasing aircraft, another target-control aircraft, or a ground force unit. Sensors in the bomb’s nose lock onto the reflections of the laser beam and follow them down to the target.

How powerful is a 500 pound bomb?

In other words, a bomb with a yield of 500 pounds will blow up with the same intensity as 500 pounds of TNT. The “500-pound bombs” that fell on al-Zarqawi each had about 200 pounds of explosives. But their explosive yield would be 200 pounds only if they were filled with TNT.

What does 500lb bomb mean?

The British term for a bomb of this type is “medium case” or “medium capacity” (MC). The GP bomb is a common weapon of fighter bomber and attack aircraft because it is useful for a variety of tactical applications and relatively cheap. General-purpose bombs are often identified by their weight (e.g., 500 lb, 227 kg).