Bomb, 1000 lb Chemical, AN-M79
Description
The AN-M79 nonpersistent chemical agent bomb was an adaptation of the 1,000 pound AN-M65 general purpose bomb. It could be filled with AC, CG, or CK. It was round, with an ogival nose and truncated conical rear section. The bomb body was forged steel. Both double and single suspension lugs were welded to the body. The rear section tapered down to about 13 inches in diameter where a base plate was welded to close the body. The base plate had a filling hole, a hole for venting and sampling with a M1 needle valve, and a threaded center hole for an adapter-booster. A burster well was welded inside the base plate and extended to the bomb nose, where it was threaded to receive a fuze seat liner. The fuze seat liner in the bomb nose provided a seat for the fuze.
A total of 63,578 CG filled and 55,851 CK filled AN-M79 bombs were procured between 1944 and 1945. In 1963 when the AN-M79 was obsoleted, there were 25,411 CG filled and 35,165 CK filled AN-M79 bombs on hand. An additional 5,268 empty casings were also on hand.
Hazardous Components
Possible fillers include AC (185-200 lb, 83.9-90.7 kg), CG (404-417 lb, 183-189 kg), or CK (340-351 lb, 154-159 kg).
M16 booster containing Tetryl (4.45 lb, 2.02 kg).
See Also
Bomb, 1000 lb GP, AN-M65, AN-M65A1
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)
