{"product_id":"original-u-s-vietnam-war-inert-bdu-28b-training-dummy-cluster-bomb-dated-1968","title":"Original U.S. Vietnam War INERT BDU-28B Training “Dummy” Cluster Bomb Dated 1966","description":"\u003cp\u003eO\u003cstrong\u003eriginal Item: Only One Available.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is an excellent original U.S. Vietnam War \u003cstrong\u003eBDU-28\/B inert training bomblet\u003c\/strong\u003e, dated \u003cstrong\u003eNovember 1966\u003c\/strong\u003e, and designed to replicate the\u003cstrong\u003e BLU-3\/B “Pineapple” fragmentation bomblet\u003c\/strong\u003e employed by American forces during the Vietnam War. This example retains its distinctive original red training paint, used to differentiate practice ordnance from live explosive munitions, and is clearly stamped \u003cstrong\u003e11\/66 \u003c\/strong\u003eon the bottom. The BDU-28\/B was developed for training and familiarization purposes, allowing military personnel to become acquainted with the characteristics of the live BLU-3\/B without employing its explosive filling. The bomblet remains in excellent overall condition, with substantial original paint retention and the recognizable configuration of the wartime training pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an INERT BDU-28B training cluster bomb and is in compliance per the current BATF regulations on Inert Ordnance. \u003cstrong\u003eNot Available For Export.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCluster bombs are designed as anti-personnel, anti-armor weapons, but the primary victims have been innocent civilians. Cluster bombs have a significant failure rate (up to 30% in Laos during the Vietnam War), which means that they often fail to explode upon hitting the ground but continue to pose a risk of detonation. In Laos, for instance, approximately 80 million of the cluster bombs dropped failed to detonate, leaving extensive contamination from unexploded ordnance (UXO). As a result, more than 98% of known cluster bomb victims are non military personnel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCluster bombs typically consist of a large outer canister that is designed to disperse hundreds of smaller bomblets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cluster bomb is dropped from a plane or launched from the ground into the air, where the casing automatically opens and releases hundreds of bomblets – the size of a soup can or orange – over wide areas, frequently missing intended military targets. Commonly used cluster bomblets are designed to explode into hundreds of pieces of razor-sharp shrapnel that rip through bodies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnywhere from 2% to 20% of modern cluster munitions do not detonate upon impact (this rate rises to 30% for older bombs in used Southeast Asia) leaving a deadly hazard for years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BDU-28\/B dummy round was meant to mimic the BLU-3 “Pineapple” cluster bomblet for training and familiarization purposes. The BLU-3 Pineapple was a cluster bomblet, 360 were deployed from the CBU-2A cluster bomb. It was used extensively in the Vietnam War by American forces. It was named \"Pineapple\" because of its appearance. On some Arc Light missions, the B-52Ds carried two SUU-24 dispensers in the bomb bay, containing a total of 10,656 bomblets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BLU-3\/B 'Pineapple' was a fragmentation bomblet for use against personnel and unarmored targets. After release from the aerial dispenser, the bomblet was stabilized by six pop-out drag vanes. It detonated on impact, and dispersed 250 high-velocity steel pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a wonderful opportunity to add a beautiful example of the BLU-3\/B training bomblet, the BDU-28\/B. The condition is wonderful and it retains the red training paint. These were originally red in color to better distinguish the training bomblets from the live ones. It is stamped \u003cstrong\u003e11\/66\u003c\/strong\u003e on the bottom for\u003cstrong\u003e November 1966\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e1966-dated BDU-28\/B\u003c\/strong\u003e represents an interesting example of the specialized training equipment associated with American aerial ordnance during the Vietnam War. Its distinctive red painted finish, recognizable BLU-3\/B Pineapple configuration, and clearly stamped \u003cstrong\u003e11\/66 \u003c\/strong\u003edate provide evidence of its intended training role and production period. Unlike the live fragmentation bomblets employed in Southeast Asia, this example was manufactured for familiarization and training rather than explosive use. Its excellent surviving condition and identifiable wartime markings make it particularly relevant to collections focused on U.S. Air Force equipment, Vietnam War aviation, and American military training ordnance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46360260804677,"sku":"ONSV26NLP041","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/FD213113-93D7-4408-BE18-FC5D356DC9AB.jpg?v=1794425938","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-vietnam-war-inert-bdu-28b-training-dummy-cluster-bomb-dated-1968","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}