Mark 83 bomb
Encyclopedia
The Mark 83 is part of the Mark 80 series of low-drag
general-purpose bomb
s in United States
service.
options, and fin configuration. The Mk 83 is a streamlined steel casing containing 445 lb (202 kg) of Tritonal
high explosive. When filled with PBXN-109 thermally insensitive explosive, the bomb is designated BLU-110.
The Mk 83/BLU-110 is used as the warhead for a variety of precision-guided weapons, including the GBU-16 Paveway
laser-guided bomb
s, the GBU-32 JDAM and Quickstrike sea mines.
This bomb is most typically used by the United States Navy
. According to a test report conducted by the United States Navy's Weapon System Explosives Safety Review Board
(WSESRB) established in the wake of the tragic 1967 USS Forrestal fire
, the cooking off
time for a Mk 83 is approximately 8 minutes 40 seconds.
Drag (physics)
In fluid dynamics, drag refers to forces which act on a solid object in the direction of the relative fluid flow velocity...
general-purpose bomb
General-purpose bomb
A general-purpose bomb is an air-dropped bomb intended as a compromise between blast damage, penetration, and fragmentation in explosive effect.-Characteristics:...
s in United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
service.
Development & deployment
The nominal weight of the bomb is 1,000 lb (454 kg), although its actual weight varies between 985 lb (447 kg) and 1,030 lb (468 kg), depending on fuzeFuze
Fuze Beverage, commercially referred to as just Fuze , is a manufacturer of teas and non-carbonated fruit drinks enriched with vitamins. Currently the brand consists of five vitamin-infused lines: Slenderize, Refresh, Tea, Defensify, and Vitalize...
options, and fin configuration. The Mk 83 is a streamlined steel casing containing 445 lb (202 kg) of Tritonal
Tritonal
Tritonal is a mixture of 80% TNT and 20% aluminium powder, used in several types of ordnance such as air-dropped bombs. The aluminium improves the total heat output and hence impulse of the TNT - the length of time during which the blast wave is positive...
high explosive. When filled with PBXN-109 thermally insensitive explosive, the bomb is designated BLU-110.
The Mk 83/BLU-110 is used as the warhead for a variety of precision-guided weapons, including the GBU-16 Paveway
Paveway
Paveway is a generic term for Laser Guided Bombs .Pave or PAVE is sometimes used as an acronym for precision avionics vectoring equipment; literally, electronics for controlling the speed and direction of aircraft...
laser-guided bomb
Laser-guided bomb
A laser-guided bomb is a guided bomb that uses semi-active laser homing to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than an unguided bomb. LGBs are one of the most common and widespread guided bombs, used by a large number of the world's air forces.- Overview :Laser-guided munitions use a...
s, the GBU-32 JDAM and Quickstrike sea mines.
This bomb is most typically used by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. According to a test report conducted by the United States Navy's Weapon System Explosives Safety Review Board
Weapon System Safety
The United States Navy formed the Weapon System Explosives Safety Review Board in 1968 as a result of the tragic fire on the USS Forrestal . The subsequent investigation recommended an independent review process be established...
(WSESRB) established in the wake of the tragic 1967 USS Forrestal fire
1967 USS Forrestal fire
The 1967 USS Forrestal fire was a devastating fire and series of chain-reaction explosions on 29 July 1967 that killed 134 sailors and injured 161 on the aircraft carrier , after an unusual electrical anomaly discharged a Zuni rocket on the flight deck...
, the cooking off
Cooking off
Cooking off refers to ammunition exploding prematurely due to heat in the surrounding environment. It can also refer to a technique used when throwing grenades to achieve a controlled, predictable explosion....
time for a Mk 83 is approximately 8 minutes 40 seconds.