E61 anthrax bomblet
Encyclopedia
The E61 anthrax bomblet was an American biological sub-munition for the E133 cluster bomb. This anti-personnel weapon was developed in the early 1950s and carried 35 milliliters of anthrax
spores or another pathogen.
reoriented its biological warfare
program. One result of this, in anti-personnel weaponry, was a move away from weapons such as the M33 cluster bomb
to the lethal E61 anthrax bomb. The E61 was first developed in January 1951 as both an anti-personnel and anti-animal weapon capable of being clustered and dropped from a medium height. On March 5, 1954 a directive from the U.S. Department of Defense altered the course of the U.S. biological weapons program. The program shifted focus to developing munitions that were not only improved but those that could be delivered by high speed aircraft and balloon. The weapons referred to included the E61 bomblet.
. The cluster bomb was designed to hold about 540 of the E61 anthrax bomblets. The E61 held about 35 milliliters of agent and a variety of pathogen
s could be used, generally anthrax
spores
. The E61 was perceived as superior to its predecessors, the M33 cluster bomb and its payload of M114 bomb
s. In fact, four of the smaller E61 bomblets produced twice the coverage area of the larger M114 bomb. Upon impact the E61 would detonate releasing an aerosol of its anthrax spore laden slurry into the air of its target area.
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...
spores or another pathogen.
History
Around October 1953 the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
reoriented its biological warfare
Biological warfare
Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war...
program. One result of this, in anti-personnel weaponry, was a move away from weapons such as the M33 cluster bomb
M33 cluster bomb
The M33 cluster bomb, also known as the Brucella cluster bomb, was a U.S. biological cluster bomb developed in the early 1950s and deployed in 1952. It was the first standardized biological weapon in the U.S. arsenal.-History:...
to the lethal E61 anthrax bomb. The E61 was first developed in January 1951 as both an anti-personnel and anti-animal weapon capable of being clustered and dropped from a medium height. On March 5, 1954 a directive from the U.S. Department of Defense altered the course of the U.S. biological weapons program. The program shifted focus to developing munitions that were not only improved but those that could be delivered by high speed aircraft and balloon. The weapons referred to included the E61 bomblet.
Specifications
The E61 bomblet was a half-pound anti-personnel bomb designed to be carried in the E133 cluster bombE133 cluster bomb
-History:The U.S. E133 cluster bomb was developed prior to Richard M. Nixon's 1969 declaration that ended the U.S. biological weapons program. At the time of Nixon's declaration the E133 was considered the most likely candidate in the U.S. biological arsenal to actually be used in a combat...
. The cluster bomb was designed to hold about 540 of the E61 anthrax bomblets. The E61 held about 35 milliliters of agent and a variety of pathogen
Pathogen
A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...
s could be used, generally anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...
spores
Endospore
An endospore is a dormant, tough, and temporarily non-reproductive structure produced by certain bacteria from the Firmicute phylum. The name "endospore" is suggestive of a spore or seed-like form , but it is not a true spore . It is a stripped-down, dormant form to which the bacterium can reduce...
. The E61 was perceived as superior to its predecessors, the M33 cluster bomb and its payload of M114 bomb
M114 bomb
The M114 bomb was a four pound U.S. anti-personnel bomb and biological cluster bomb sub-munition. The M114 was used in the M33 cluster bomb.-History:...
s. In fact, four of the smaller E61 bomblets produced twice the coverage area of the larger M114 bomb. Upon impact the E61 would detonate releasing an aerosol of its anthrax spore laden slurry into the air of its target area.