E86 cluster bomb
Encyclopedia
The E86 cluster bomb was an American biological cluster bomb
first developed in 1951. Though the U.S. military intended to procure 6,000 E86s, the program was halted in the first half of the 1950s.
beginning in October 1951. The Ralph M. Parsons Company was contracted to produce the E86 in October 1952. In 1953 procurement began for 6,000 E86 cluster bombs, with their production expected no earlier than 1958. When U.S. military munition requirements were reviewed in the first half of the 1950s, production and further development of the E86 was halted. The E86 cluster bomb supplanted technologies such as the E77 balloon bomb
.
, except it was larger. While the M115 weighed 500 pounds, the E86 was a 750 pound weapon. Regardless, operationally, the E86 was similar to the M115. It was designed as an anti-crop
weapon; the U.S. biological weapons program produced three anti crop agents, wheat and rye stem rust and rice blast. The weapon was in a steel case and intended to be dropped from the exterior of an aircraft such as the B-47 or B-52. Sub-munitions included the E14 munition
; the sub-munition was originally intended as anti-crop weapons as well, but was later altered and used in testing as the U.S. pursued an entomological warfare
program.
Cluster bomb
A cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller sub-munitions. Commonly, this is a cluster bomb that ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles...
first developed in 1951. Though the U.S. military intended to procure 6,000 E86s, the program was halted in the first half of the 1950s.
History
The E86 cluster bomb was developed as a biological weapon by the United States Army Chemical Corps and 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...
beginning in October 1951. The Ralph M. Parsons Company was contracted to produce the E86 in October 1952. In 1953 procurement began for 6,000 E86 cluster bombs, with their production expected no earlier than 1958. When U.S. military munition requirements were reviewed in the first half of the 1950s, production and further development of the E86 was halted. The E86 cluster bomb supplanted technologies such as the E77 balloon bomb
E77 balloon bomb
The E77 balloon bomb was a U.S. anti-crop biological munition based on the design of Japanese fire balloons. The E77 used feathers as a vector to disseminate anti-crop agents from a hydrogen-filled balloon and was first developed in 1950.-Background:...
.
Specifications
The E86 was similar to the M115 biological bombM115 bomb
The M115 anti-crop bomb, also known as the feather bomb or the E73 bomb, was a U.S. biological cluster bomb designed to deliver wheat stem rust.-History:...
, except it was larger. While the M115 weighed 500 pounds, the E86 was a 750 pound weapon. Regardless, operationally, the E86 was similar to the M115. It was designed as an anti-crop
Crop
Crop may refer to:* Crop, a plant grown and harvested for agricultural use* Crop , part of the alimentary tract of some animals* Crop , a modified whip used in horseback riding or disciplining humans...
weapon; the U.S. biological weapons program produced three anti crop agents, wheat and rye stem rust and rice blast. The weapon was in a steel case and intended to be dropped from the exterior of an aircraft such as the B-47 or B-52. Sub-munitions included the E14 munition
E14 munition
The E14 munition was a cardboard sub-munition developed by the United States biological weapons program as an anti-crop weapon...
; the sub-munition was originally intended as anti-crop weapons as well, but was later altered and used in testing as the U.S. pursued an entomological warfare
Entomological warfare
Entomological warfare is a type of biological warfare that uses insects to attack the enemy. The concept has existed for centuries and research and development have continued into the modern era...
program.