From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

Don Hills wrote:
> In article , "Gary Britt"
 wrote:
>> Its not a lie.  High explosives surrounded by ball bearings is a form of
>> cluster bomb, imho.  It is intended to inflict maximum civilian casualties
>> when fired (as they always are by these scum) at purely civilian targets.
>
> Your opinion is merely that - your opinion. High explosives surrounded by
> ball bearings is a fragmentation bomb. If such warheads were used by
> Hezbollah, I doubt they would have used ball bearings anyway - far too
> expensive. If I were building one in a garage I'd use high-tensile nuts and
> bolts as filling. If I had better facilities I'd use tool steel, cubed.
>

Searching around for some modern ap device descriptions....& I came
upon what must be the world's greatest piece of orwellian wording ever....

"Burst Test of the Best Buy Warhead"

Best get down to "Best Buy"....sounds like a review in
"SOF" 

http://www.stormingmedia.co.uk/49/4934/A493493.html

"Abstract: The Best Buy program is a U.S. Navy development effort with
the objective of gun launching a 5-in (127-mm) diameter, rocket-assisted,
guided projectile to a range of 100 nautical miles (184 km) where the cargo
will be dispensed over the target area. It is fired from the Mark 45 cannon
or its improved variant. The cargo consists of 143 U.S. Army M-80 grenades.
The intended target set is identical to that of the Army's M483 and M864
155-mm projectiles. The Best Buy projectile's mission is to replace the
need for the U. S. Navy to emplace U.S. Marine towed artillery assets
ashore in an amphibious assault."

Each grenade is a "fragmenting device".

The various mils even test their own ordnance against accidental detonation
if peppered by said steel cubes.

http://www.stormingmedia.co.uk/81/8198/A819862.html?PHPSESSID=f67ed19e3bc637a33
3a25eece03ed126

"Abstract: MIL-STD-2105A provides a framework for the development of a
consolidated explosives safety and IM assessment test program for
non-nuclear munitions. The test recommended by these directives to simulate
fragment impact is derived from the Explosives Advanced Development (EAD)
Program's multiple fragment impact test. The EAD test uses single-point
initiated Composition B explosive (approx. 200 pounds) to launch 25
1/2-inch mild steel cubes, having an initial velocity of 8300 ft/s, at a
target placed 17 feet from the projector charge. At least three of these
fragments are required to impact an 8-inch- diameter generic warhead. When
this procedure was used during testing at the Naval Air Warfare Center
Weapons Division (formerly Naval Weapons Center), China Lake, difficulties
were encountered in reliably hitting smaller targets (more representative
of air-to-air missiles). This was because of the relatively large spread of
the fragments at the 17-foot standoff location of the targets. A series of
tests was conducted to determine the important variables in the fragment
impact test in hope of more accurately controlling fragment velocity,
aimiability, pattern dispersal, and test-to-test repeatability. The report
summarizes the results of those tests and describes the development and
implementation of a 5-cube fragment projector.... Multiple fragment impact,
Fragment launcher, FRAGMAT, 25-Cube Projector, 9-Cube Projector, 5-Cube
Projector, Composition B, Fragment impact, Insensitive munitions testing,
Test setup, Instrumentation"

But hey at least they're studying the impact spread of cbu'es

http://www.stormingmedia.co.uk/10/1073/A107362.html?PHPSESSID=f67ed19e3bc637a33
3a25eece03ed126

"Abstract: Modern artillery projectiles often carry submunitions. The
flight behavior of these submunitions once released from the projectile
carrier are often poorly known. A program was conducted to measure the spin
of an M42 anti- personnel grenade. A launcher system was assembled using a
modified 4.2-inch mortar tube mounted to a 105mm howitzer carriage. A
sabot/pusher and charge system were developed. An instrumentation and
telemetry system was developed and three units were fabricated. Improper
functioning of the howitzer/mortar firing mechanism produced delays in the
firing sequence and batteries discharged prior to firing. Hence, no data
were received. Subsequently, problems with the firing mechanism have been
corrected. Additionally, rechargeable batteries have been procured and will
allow for unusual test sequences or occurrences. New circuit devices and
assembly procedures have also been established. These instrumentation
procedures could be applied to most types of small bursting
submunitions.... Telemeter Systems, Grenades, Subminiature Electrical
Equipment. "


Adam

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