M129E1/E2 Psychological Operations Leaflet Bomb

A Leaflet Bomb is a device used for dropping large quantities of propaganda leaflets from high flying aircraft, to insure their reaching their targets with a minimum of drift caused by air currents. The M129 is dropped from fixed wing aircraft including B-52s, F-16s, F-18s and A-6s. The Air Force has been using the 200-lb. M129 leaflet bomb for many years, but the canisters are aging and the inventory is being rapidly depleted.

The M129 dispenser is 7.5 long and 16 inches in diameter. Its empty weight is about 52 kilograms (115 pounds) and when loaded with leaflets, approximately 100 kilograms (225 pounds). The cylindrical bomb body has an ogical nose and a tapered aft section with fins. The dispenser consists of two longitudinal sections, held together by four latches on each side. The nose fuse well accommodates various airburst mechanical fuses. The fuse ignites a booster and detonates a primacord strip which separates the two body halves, detaches the fins, and allows the leaflet material to scatter.

The M129 is capable of holding approximately 60,000 to 80,000 leaflets. It can carry approximately 30,000 13 x 20-centimeter (51/4 x 8-inch), 16-pound, machine-rolled leaflets. Before the leaflets are placed in the bomb, the detonating cord is placed in the seam between the two halves. When the bomb is released, the fuse functions at a predetermined time, detonating the primer cord separating the two body sections, detaching the fins, and releasing the leaflets. The bombs explode at a lower altitude through the use of a timer allowing the rolled leaflets to be released and scattered.