USE

A cluster projectile is an assemblage of small bombs or containers held together primarily by re-silient straps and beams. It is constructed so as to be an aimable projectile and is usually fitted with a tail unit for stabilization.

At present there are cluster projectiles for flares, incendiary bombs, smoke bombs, and the 20 lb. fragmentation bombs. The cluster projectiles are rapidly replacing the Small Bomb Conatiners as the preferred method for carrying small bombs and fla-res. Advantages of the Cluster Projectile include ease of loading and installation in the aircraft, in-creased number of bombs or flares contained in the same space, and increased accuracy.

FUZING

Fuzes are incorporated in the projectiles to disin-tegrate the cluster itself and permit the individual bombs to disperse and fall freely after break-up of the projectile. They are fuzed either at the nose or tail, and have explosive channels and pellets so designed as to break up the cluster without injur-ing any of the contained bombs.

Usually the bombs or flares are shipped already packed in the cluster projectile so assembly of the complete round is not necessary in the field. The fuze of the cluster is generally installed just prior to loading the projectile on the aircraft.