Bomb, 1000 lb SAP, AN-M59
Description
The 1,000-pound SAP bomb AN-M59A1 has a thick metal body designed to give greater penetration than a general purpose bomb of comparable weight. It is a heavy nosed cylindrical shaped bomb. A box-type fin assembly is attached to the aft end by a fin lock nut. The base plug of the AN-M59A1 bomb locks securely in place and the adapter-booster may be locked to the base plug. This bomb can accommodate both nose and tail fuzes. Tactical requirements usually nullify the need for a nose fuze, in which case the nose fuze cavity is fitted with a solid steel plug . Approximately 30 percent of the total weight of the SAP bomb AN-M59A1 is explosive filler. Bombs filled with Amatol 50-50 include a booster surround of cast TNT and auxiliary booster M104, which is inserted during the filling process. Bombs filled with picratol include the auxiliary booster less the TNT surround; TNT filled bombs do not include the auxiliary booster.
The 1000-pound SAP bomb AN-M59A1 and AN-M59A2 have antiwithdrawal pins in the base plug and an adapter booster which can be locked to the base plug. Bomb AN-M59 lacks these features. The explosive filler in bomb AN-M59 is approximately 315 pounds or 31 .8 percent of the bomb's complete weight. In all other physical respects, the 1000 pound SAP bomb AN-M59 is identical to the 1,000-pound SAP bombs AN-M59A1 and AN-M59A2.
Hazardous Components
Possible fillers include:
•Amatol (292.25 lb, 132.8 kg)
•TNT (310 lb, 140.9 kg)
•Picratol (321 lb, 145.9)
See Also
Tail, Hydrostatic, AN-Mk 230 Mod 3 - 6
Tail, Hydrostatic, Mk 240 Mod 0
Source(s)
TM 9-1325-200, Bombs and Bomb Components (1966)
OP 2216, Volume 1 - Aircraft Bombs, Fuzes, and Associated Components (1960)
OP 1280, Aircraft Bombs (1955)
OP 1664, Volume 2 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
USNBD - Bombs and Fuzes, Pyrotechnics (1945)
TM 9-1904, Ammunition Inspection Guide (1944)
