A-10 Thunderbolt II Test Cluster Bombs

Cluster Bomb Tests

An A-10 was part of tests conducted by the 422 TES at the Nevada Test and Training Range on September 14, 2022. The Warthog did two quick passes while firing its GAU-8 Avenger before dropping two types of cluster bombs.

A CBU-87 CEM was the first cluster bomb deployed by the A-10. The 951lb bomb was introduced in 1986 and was designed to be dropped at any altitude and air speed. Depending on the rate of spin and altitude, it can cover between 65×65 ft to 390×780 ft of land.

The second cluster bomb dropped was the improved version of the 87, CBU-103. This type of bomb uses a Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser to make it more accurate.

When compared, the 87 has a wider and uneven dispersion while the 103 has a tighter and more controlled pattern of destruction.