Types of Bombs...
GUIDED BOMBS: In order to gain more accuracy toward specific targets, larger demolition type bombs were designed with various flight- controlling devices. By use of remote control radio and heat, light or magnetic sensing equipment, bombs resembling small airplanes can be guided towards their objectives. Self-propelled guided bombs are classified as Guided Missiles.
INCENDIARY BOMBS: These bombs start fires. They are filled with gasoline compounds or thermite, a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide. Incendiary bombs weigh from 3.5 to a type 1000 pounds ( 1.6 to 450kg). The napalm bomb is a type of incendiary filled with jellied gasoline mixture that immediately ignites, setting fires that are extremely hazardous. It spreads a cloud of fuel that ignites around the target. The United States used such bombs in the Vietnam War to burn jungles and clear away mines and booby traps.
DEMOLITION BOMBS: This bomb, a general purpose bomb, is used for the most purposes. The casing is relatively thin so that the greatest quantity of high explosives can be contained. The blast effect varies directly with the weight of the explosive. It is used to destroy structures. To ensure detonation, a second fuse is usually mounted in the tail.
FRAGMENTATION BOMB: When this bomb explodes, it shatters its thick casing into thousands of small splinters. It is used on concentrations of unprotected personnel and transports. One fuse is normally used for impact detonation, as in the grenade.
ARMOR-PIERCING BOMB: These bombs have sharp pointed noses and extra strong casings. They can penetrate the heavy armor on warships and concrete structures over 40 feet (12.19m thick). To avoid the bomb's detonation before complete penetration, a less sensitive high explosive, Explosive D, is used in place of TNT or Amatol.
DEPTH BOMB: This underwater bomb is built like a general purpose bomb but has a flat nose to prevent its recoheting when it strikes water, and it requires only a tail fuse. Depth bombs must be dropped at low altitudes. They are pre-set to detonate below a given water depth.
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