Wednesday, July 23, 2008

No More "Daisy Cutters" (BLU-82)

The Air Force dropped the last of its operations BLU-82 bombs, which was more commonly known as the "Commando Vault" during the Vietnam War and/or the "Daisy Cutter." The passing of this 15,000 pound ordinance does not signal the end for massive explosives. The MOAB ("Massive Ordnance Air Burst") and the MOP ("Massive Ordnance Penetrator") weigh in at 21,000 pounds and 30,000 pounds respectively.


http://www.af.mil/
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123107470

"7/21/2008 - DUKE FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- Duke Field Airmen from the 711th Special Operations Squadron dropped the last operational Bomb Live Unit-82 from an MC-130E Combat Talon I July 15 at the Utah Test and Training Range.
...
When originally designed, the BLU-82 was the largest conventional bomb in existence. It could instantly clear jungles for helicopter landing zones in Vietnam.
...
"As far as aircraft loads go, the delivery of the BLU-82 was nothing unusual," said Lt. Col. Mike Theriot, the aircraft commander and pilot on the mission. "Our aircraft routinely drop loads much larger and heavier."

Wing officials said they believe there are no plans, at this time, to produce BLU-82s in the future. The only remaining inactive bombs are used for loadmaster training and for static displays in museums.
"

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