Bomb, 500 lb Chemical, AN-M78, M78
Description
The 500 pound AN-M78 bomb was an aerial bomb that was fin stabilized and cylindrical in shape with an ogive nose and conical tail. The body of the bomb was a one-piece, cast steel construction with a burster well extending the entire length of the bomb. The burster well was threaded at the forward end to receive the nose fuze and at the aft end to receive the adapter booster and tail fuze. The base plug consisted of a special forging welded to the case containing the M1 needle valve. An AN-M1 needle valve was installed in the base plate.
A standard box type fin assembly was screwed to the bomb by a locking nut, which threaded to the base plug.
Hazardous Components
The bomb is filled during manufacture with either CG (205 lb, 93.2 kg) or CK (176 lb, 80 kg)
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
Old Chemical Weapons and Related Materiel Reference Guide (2018)
Old Chemical Weapons Reference Guide (1998)
OP 2216, Volume 1 - Aircraft Bombs, Fuzes, and Associated Components (1960)
TM 3-400, Chemical Bombs and Clusters (1957)
OP 1664, Volume 2 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
USNBD - Bombs and Fuzes, Pyrotechnics (1945)
