The famous cluster bomb also known as the Dual Purpose improved conventional munition usually fired from the M triple seven Howitzer or the Paladin self-propelled artillery. When fire the fuse activates the expulsion plate while the outer casing detonates releasing the M42 grenades. The cluster munition unfurls its ribbon indirectly semi-arming the shaped charge. It is at this stage that it becomes a lethal weapon the inertia weight takes action to detonate the grenade.
These Dual Purpose improved conventional munition are strategically designed to cover a wide area with smaller sub grenades, but there are serious downsides to M42 cluster bombs. The major concerns are:
- Indiscriminate nature – critics argue that M42 cluster bombs lack precision releasing submunitions over a wide area including populated regions. This indiscriminate nature poses a significant risk to civilians including children. Those unexploded submunitions can remain hazardous for years causing civilian casualties and hindering recovery efforts long after the conflict is over.
- Potential unintended consequences – the wide area of impact can spell trouble. M42 cluster bombs could lead to unintended consequences like harming friendly forces, damaging critical infrastructure, or displacing civilians.
Source: AiTelly