E133 cluster bomb

The E133 cluster bomb was a U.S. biological weapon developed during the Cold War.

History

The U.S. E133 cluster bomb was developed prior to Richard M. Nixon's 1969 declaration that ended the U.S. biological weapons program.[1] At the time of Nixon's declaration the E133 was considered the most likely candidate in the U.S. biological arsenal to actually be used in a combat situation.[1]

Specifications

The E133 cluster weighed 750 pounds.[2] It held between 536[3][1] and 544[2] E61 bomblets, which when dropped would detonate on impact dispersing an aerosol of biological agent,[3] usually anthrax.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cirincione, Joseph, et al. Deadly Arsenals: Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Threats, (Google Books), Carnegie Endowment, 2005, p. 60, (ISBN 087003216X).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chauhan, Sharad S. Biological Weapons, (Google Books), APH Publishing Corporation, 2004, p. 197, (ISBN 8176487325).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cirincione, Joseph. "Defending America", Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Winter/Spring 2002, via Commonwealth Institute, accessed January 4, 2009.
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