Original Item: Very Few Available. This is an original U.S. Vietnam War era BDU-28/B inert training bomblet, designed to duplicate the size, shape, handling characteristics, and stabilizer system of the live BLU-3/B “Pineapple” fragmentation bomblet. The BLU-3/B became one of the characteristic American cluster submunitions of the Vietnam War, dispersed in large numbers from aerial cluster bomb units against personnel and unarmored targets. The BDU-28/B allowed ground crews and ordnance personnel to train with the same distinctive six vane configuration without using a live explosive munition, making these surviving examples an interesting piece of both Vietnam aviation history and the enormous training infrastructure required to support American air operations in Southeast Asia.

These BDU-28/B examples are completely inert and contain no explosive material. They are in compliance with current BATF guidelines regarding inert ordnance. NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT.

The BDU-28/B was specifically produced as an inert dummy version of the BLU-3/B fragmentation bomblet. Period U.S. ordnance documentation describes the BDU-28/B as a small, drag vane stabilized inert training bomb used for training ground handling and loading crews. Unlike the live BLU-3/B, it contained no explosive charge, detonator, or functioning explosive train.

The live weapon it represented was the: BLU-3/B “Pineapple”

The nickname came from the bomblet’s compact body and distinctive stabilizing vanes. The BLU-3/B was an anti-personnel fragmentation weapon intended primarily for use against personnel and unarmored targets. It became closely associated with American air operations during the Vietnam War and was carried in several different cluster bomb and dispenser systems.

One of the best known configurations was the CBU-2/A, which carried 360 BLU-3/B bomblets in an SUU-7/A dispenser. Other dispenser configurations could carry even larger quantities, illustrating one of the defining characteristics of cluster munitions: rather than relying upon a single large explosive charge, the parent dispenser distributed large numbers of individual submunitions across a wide area.

After release from its dispenser, the BLU-3/B used six spring loaded drag vanes to stabilize and orient the bomblet during its descent. These vanes give both the live BLU-3/B and its BDU-28/B training counterpart their instantly recognizable appearance. The live bomblet was designed to detonate upon impact and disperse approximately 250 high velocity steel fragmentation elements around the point of detonation.

The BDU-28/B duplicated much of the external configuration and stabilizer arrangement of the live weapon so personnel could become familiar with its handling and operation without the hazards associated with live ordnance. Period technical documentation specifically identifies the BDU-28/B as inert, with its functional components limited essentially to the stabilizer assembly and end cap.

Training ordnance like this played a crucial but often overlooked role during the Vietnam War. Before bombs, rockets, missiles, and cluster munitions could be loaded safely and efficiently under operational conditions, armorers and ground crews had to repeatedly practice identifying, handling, transporting, loading, and servicing the weapons. Dummy rounds gave them realistic equipment with which to learn those procedures while minimizing the risks inherent in working with live explosive ordnance.

An example of the markings found on the bottom of these reads:

11-66 DUMMY BOMB:
BDU-28/B LOT LOP-1-1

The 11-66 marking indicates November 1966, placing that particular example squarely within the period of major American combat operations in Vietnam. Markings and exact condition may vary among the examples available but all are from the same Vietnam War period.

Most of these BDU-28/B training bomblets are in very good condition for their age, without serious oxidation. As genuine period training ordnance, however, individual examples may display normal handling marks, finish wear, surface staining, or other evidence of military storage and use.

The history of the BLU-3/B continued long after individual missions ended. Cluster munitions used throughout Southeast Asia left significant quantities of unexploded ordnance, particularly in Laos, where disposal and clearance efforts have continued for decades. That legacy has made the BLU-3/B and related weapons historically significant not only as examples of Vietnam War air ordnance, but also as artifacts connected to the long term consequences of aerial warfare in Southeast Asia.

For the ordnance collector, the BDU-28/B offers the external form and mechanical character of the famous BLU-3/B “Pineapple” bomblet in an original purpose built inert training configuration. With its characteristic six vane stabilizer system, Vietnam War era markings, and direct connection to the weapons training of U.S. aviation ground crews, it makes a particularly strong addition to a Vietnam War, U.S. Air Force, aerial ordnance, cluster munition, or military training equipment collection.

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).