The massive Daisy Cutter bombs were the largest conventional bombs used by the US Military in the Vietnam War, 1991 Gulf War (Desert Storm), and Afghanistan.  Since the Korean War, helicopters had developed into versatile platforms capable of performing various roles, including troop transport, attack/reconnaissance missions, logistical support and medical evacuations. During the Vietnam War, helicopters were integrated into nearly every aspect of US military operations, leading to the term "helicopter war" to describe the conflict. Vietnam is a country of subtropical and tropical lowlands, hills, and densely forested highlands, with level terrain covering less than 20% of the country.  In Vietnam, the elusive enemy took refuge in the thick triple-canopy jungles. Since 1966, the US military had struggled to devise a reliable method for creating instant helicopter landing zones (LZ) in the triple-canopy jungles. In December 1967, the US military began a testing program in the USA to test large bombs for explosively clearing jungle areas for landing helicopters. The testing had determined that the M121 bomb was the best weapon for the task. M121 BombThe T-10 bomb was a US-built version of the British 12,000 lbs. (5,443 kg) Tallboy bomb modified to use standard US components. Development started in late 1944 and it was planned to be dropped on Pacific island strongholds to aid in softening up the defenses before amphibious assaults. It weighed 10,000 lbs. (4,500 kg) with a 8,050 lbs. (3,650 kg) Tritonal (a mixture of 80% TNT and 20% Aluminium powder) warhead. None of the T-10 bombs were used operationally before Japan surrendered. During the Korean War, a number of T-10 bombs were converted to the radio-guided Tarzon bombs and were dropped by B-29 bombers to destroy enemy railroad bridges and reservoir dams. After the Korean War ended, the USAF B-29 and B-36 bombers were retired. The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" bomber was the last operational USAF aircraft that could drop a fully assembled Tallboy type bomb in the conventional way. With no aircraft that could drop the T-10 bomb available, the bombs were put into storage. Production of the T-10 bomb ended in 1955. In the late 1950s, the T-10 bomb was re-designated the M121 bomb. During the Vietnam War, M121 bombs, minus their rear streamlined shrouds and tail fin assemblies, were shipped to Vietnam. Two M121 bombs on a trailer in a bomb dump at Clark Air Base on Luzon in the Philippine Islands.  The curvature of the M121 bomb's nose made it look like a giant bullet. A parachute pack would be mounted to the bomb's base plate.  The bomb was detonated just above ground level by a 38-inch (965mm) fuse extender, optimized for destruction at ground level without creating a crater. The blast diameter was 60 meters (65.6 yards). The blast also stunned any enemy personnel within 500 meters (546.8 yards) and it revealed or destroyed booby traps in the blast area. During the Vietnam War, the term "Daisy Cutter" referred to any size bomb which had an extended nose probe fuse. For reasons which are not quite clear, the name "Daisy Cutter" had became the nickname for the M121 bomb itself instead of the fusing system. The age of the M121 bombs often led to duds. A dud M121 bomb had to be detonated to keep the supply of TNT from falling into enemy hands. A resourceful enemy could use the TNT from one M121 bomb to make thousands of makeshift mines and satchel charges. VietnamIn early 1968, the US Army began a test program called "Combat Trap" which tested dropping a M121 bomb using a heavy lift Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe helicopter, nicknamed the "Skycrane". The CH-54 was named after an 18th-century chief of the Wyandot Indian tribe, Tarhe, whose nickname was the "Crane". The Wyandot were the last Native American tribe to leave Ohio. They were on the losing side of every conflict they fought in, which included the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. They even supported the Confederate South and were pro-slavery during the American Civil War. They were known as resourceful and excellent warriors who fought bravely in every battle. The first and only helicopter bomber in the US Army inventory was CH-54A 67-18416 named "BIG MOTHER" which belonged to the 478th Aviation Company "Hurricanes", 11th Aviation Group, US 1st Cavalry Division. CH-54A 67-18416 BIG MOTHER operated from two known locations in Vietnam, Phu Bai Combat Base (southeast of Hue) and Da Nang Air Base.  Phu BaiOn 30 January 1968, the North Vietnamese launched their Tet Offensive. Attacks were carried out against five major South Vietnamese cities, dozens of military installations, and scores of towns and villages throughout South Vietnam. US forces at Khe Sanh combat base was surrounded by enemy forces and the enemy gain control of most of Hue city and its surrounding areas. The Phu Bai Combat Base was a major US Army and US Marines base. The US 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced), US 1st Cavalry Division (including the 478th Aviation Company), US 101st Airborne Division (Reinforced) operated from Phu Bai and they also co-operated closely with the South Vietnam (ARVN) 1st Division in the area. The base was used to support US and ARVN forces fighting in and around Hue city. Relief forces were dispatched from Phu Bai transporting supplies and reinforcements to Khe Sanh during its siege. CH-54A BIG MOTHER with M121 bomb(s) was sent to Phu Bai and was ready in case it was needed to repel any enemy forces. There is no information when BIG MOTHER arrived at Phu Bai and if it had dropped any M121 bombs in combat during its stay at Phu Bai. This is a rear view of CH-54A BIG MOTHER with a M121 bomb on the landing strip at Phu Bai. The landing strip was built using M8A1 matting (Marston Matting). On the rear of the bomb is the stabilization parachute. Note the red wheel mounted fire extinguisher next to the helicopter.  This is the front view of the M121 bomb mounted beneath CH-54A BIG MOTHER. The bomb rack is a field modification which is not painted. Note the details of the the 38-inch (965.2 mm) fuse extender installed on the nose of the bomb.  This is the right side view of CH-54A BIG MOTHER at Phu Bai.  This is my close up of the above photo showing "BIG MOTHER" painted in red.  This is my close up of the above photo showing the five digit number "18416" on the fuselage. Also on the fuselage is the US 1st Cavalry Division patch.   On 2 March 1968, the US Marines and ARVN forces completed mop up operations in and around Hue. Operation Pegasus (1-14 April 1968) was the Allied overland relief of Khe Sanh. On 19 June 1968, Operation Charlie, the evacuation of Khe Sanh began. All useful equipment was withdrawn or destroyed. The bunkers and gun positions were destroyed and all personnel were evacuated from Khe Sanh. Da NangAfter the Tet Offensive was repelled and there were no more immediate threats to Hue, CH-54A BIG MOTHER was flown to Da Nang Air Base to support operations in the Da Nang area. There is no information when BIG MOTHER arrived at Da Nang. CH-54A BIG MOTHER with a M121 bomb mounted on the tarmac at Da Nang Air Base.  This is my close up of the above photo. The M121 bomb is probably not armed, it does not have the fuse extender installed yet. In the background is the fuselage of a F-4 Phantom jet belonging to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, the "Gunfighters".  These two photos show a M121 bomb being mounted to CH-54A BIG MOTHER in Octbber 1968 at Da Nang. On the cab below the name "BIG MOTHER" are two large white bomb markings. There is no information when or where those two bombs were dropped.   Due to the bomb's weight and powerful effects, ordnance handlers chalk marked this M121 bomb as "Excedrin Headache #10,00x" where x was the sequence number of the bomb. In this case the 3rd bomb. It is a reference to the advertising campaign at the time promoting the efficacy of the Excedrin extra strength pain relievers.   CH-54A BIG MOTHER with bomb mounted after take off and in flight over the Vietnamese countryside. CH-54A BIG MOTHER in these two photos has the two bomb markings below its name.   Soon after its dropped, the M121 bomb's parachute deploys and it descends to the ground.  Firebase SpearOperation Taylor Common was a search and destroy operation conducted by Task Force Yankee, a task force of the 5th Marines, US 1st Marine Division supported by the ARVN 1st Ranger Group, southwest of Hội An (southeast of Da Nang on the coast) from 6 December 1968 to 8 March 1969. The operation plan was for Task Force Yankee to secure the An Hoa Basin approximately 28 km (17.4 miles) southwest of Hội An, then construct a series of fire support bases to support operations in the An Hoa Basin area. On 15 December 1968, several M121 bombs were dropped on top of Hill 558 to clear it for a fire base. The M121 bombs were only partially successful. Pinpoint accuracy in dropping bombs by parachute was not always possible. Sudden cross winds probably blown the bomb(s) off course and the blasts might not had blown down all the trees down the hill sides. Company B, 3rd Engineer Battalion supported by 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines were landed by helicopters and established Firebase Spear. Firebase Spear was located at 15.767°N 107.974°E.  This an aerial view of Firebase Spear. Hill 558 was in a slight ravine. Hovering over one of the artillery positions is a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The white bar in the center of the photo runs along the top of the Chinook's fuselage.  During the night of 22-23 February 1969, LZ Rita in War Zone C, western III Corps, in Tay Ninh Province was nearly overrun. LZ Rita was located along Route 244, about 1.3 km (0.8 miles) south of the Parrot's Beak area of the Cambodian border.  On February 25th at approximately 1600 hours, a daisy cutter bomb was dropped on LZ Rita shortly after helicopters evacuated the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Cav, US 1st Cavalry Division. The CP company was among the last to lift off when a Skycrane heading toward LZ Rita with a huge device suspended beneath it by a long cable. The Skycrane hovered directly over the center of the base, the cable released the object, and it dropped to the ground. A massive mushroom cloud of pure white smoke rose several thousand feet in the air, completely hiding the LZ from view until it slowly dispersed. It is not known if CH-54A BIG MOTHER dropped this bomb. Film: M121 Combat Trap 10,000lb Instant Jungle Clearing Weapon "Daisy Cutter" Video: How to Carry The Most Powerful Conventional Weapon of the Vietnam War - Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe Video: Daisy Cutter Bomb Vietnam War C-130 HerculesThe use of the CH-54A helicopter to carry the M121 bomb was expensive, time consuming and inefficient due to the helicopter's limited range. The USAF developed their own method for dropping the bomb using a Lockheed C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop transport aircraft. The C-130 was able to carry two M121 bombs for longer distances and it was easier and quicker to load the bombs. C-130 - 150 KTAS (Knots True Airspeed), 6000 ft (1828.8 m) AGL (Above Ground Level).  One oversight which is not mentioned anywhere is the Aerial delivery platform (pallet), bomb cradle and its parachute usually lands outside the blast area intact and it should be recovered. A resourceful enemy could make use of its wood, metal, cords and nylon materials. Commando VaultIn October 1968, a C-130 crew from the 29th Tactical Airlift Squadron of the 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing (Clark Air Base in the Philippines) flew a series of test drops in Vietnam while under the guidance of MSQ-77 radar controllers. After the successful tests were completed, the 463rd commenced Project Commando Vault, and M121 bomb drops became a regular occurrence. At the peak of their use, 20 M121s were being requested every month. Ten M121 bombs were dropped just between 12 and 20 December 1968. Restarting production of the T-10 or M121 bombs was not possible. The US Military continued to drop M121 bombs to clear landing zones until the stockpiles were depleted. Meanwhile, a more powerful bomb was being developed for landing zone clearing tasks. BLU-82 BombThe BLU-82 bomb was the replacement for the M121. The designation "BLU" stands for Bomb Live Unit, as opposed to "BDU" (Bomb Dummy Units) which were inert practice bombs. Instead of TNT, the BLU-82 used ammonium nitrate and aluminum (ammonal). The warhead contained low-cost GSX slurry (ammonium nitrate, aluminum powder and polystyrene). The blast radius was variously reported as 300 to 900 feet (100 to 300 meters). The US Air Force called it the "Daisy Cutter" or "Big Blue 82". Specifications: Three USAF airmen posing on top of a BLU-82 bomb. They are holding onto 3 lifting rings along the length of the bomb. Note the straight cone shaped nose of the BLU-82 compared to the curved nose of the earlier M121 bomb.  The airman up front with his left arm raised is probably mimicking a scene in Stanley Kubrick's 1964 dark comedy film "Dr. Strangelove" where Major Kong (actor Slim Pickens) bronco rode a nuclear bomb dropped from a B-52 bomber over a target in Russia. Click HERE to view a film clip of the scene in the film. An USAF 25K cargo loader transporting a BLU-82 bomb.  A C-130 with two BLU-82 bombs in the cargo hold in flight. The rear loading ramp is lowered and the bombs are ready and waiting to be dropped.  An aerial view of a mushroom cloud rising from a Daisy Cutter bomb explosion. The curvy line to the right of the mushroom cloud stem is probably a section of a road in the jungle.  An aerial view of a bomb blasted landing zone.  The BLU-82 was initially used to clear helicopter landing zones and artillery emplacements. The first use of a BLU-82 occurred on 22 March 1970, when one was dropped north of Long Tieng, Laos during Campaign 139 (North Vietnamese offensive). During Operation Lam Son 719 (8 February to 25 March 1971), 25 BLU-82 bombs were dropped in Laos. They were dropped by USAF C-130s not only to clear Landing Zones and establish Fire Support Bases, but also to strike specific targets such as supply dumps, vehicle parks, and enemy troop concentrations. The ground operation was carried out by the armed forces of South Vietnam (ARVN). The US military provided logistical, aerial and artillery support, but US ground forces were prohibited by law from entering Laotian territory. The objective was for the ARVN forces to advance west along Route 9 from the Lao Bao (near the Laos-South Vietnam border) to the town of Tchepone (today Xépôn) with the intent of disrupting enemy supplies being transported through Laos. North and south of Route 9, 18 Fire Support Bases and 3 LZs were established. On 6 March 1971, 276 UH-1 Huey helicopters protected by US AH-1 Cobra gunships and USAF fighter aircraft, airlifted ARVN forces from Khe Sanh to LZ Hope at 16.69°N 106.257°E (east of Tchepone). Some of the Hueys landed ARVN troops at nearby fire bases along the route. It was the largest Allied helicopter assault of the Vietnam War. Only one helicopter was shot down by enemy AAA fire as the ARVN troops landed at LZ Hope.  The AVRN troops did captured Tchepone but the North Vietnamese later counterattacked with Soviet-built tanks, heavy artillery, and infantry forcing the ARVN forces to withdraw from Laos. During the last month of the Vietnam War, South Vietnamese (RVNAF) aircraft dropped BLU-82 bombs in desperation to support ARVN troops. BLU-82 bombs were rushed to Clark Air Base and rigged by US riggers, then USAF C-130s flew the prepared bombs to Tan Son Nhut Air Base where they were transferred to RVNAF C-130A Hercule aircraft for delivery. At 1400 hours on 12 April 1975 (one source states April 16th), a RVNAF C-130A dropped two BLU-82 bombs on enemy positions near Xuân Lộc (east of Saigon). Due to some foul up, only three BLU-82 bomb fuses were delivered to the South Vietnamese. Unfortunately for South Vietnam, the massive bombs failed to halt the North Vietnamese juggernaut that was advancing towards Saigon and Saigon fell on 30 April 1975. Film: A 15000 pound "Daisy Cutter" bomb dropped from C-130 Hercules aircraft in Vietnam War. Film: Use of BLU-82/B bomb in Project Commando Vault Video: The Secret Weapon the US Was Afraid to Unleash Video: The BLU 82 - [Daisy Cutter] Desert StormEleven BLU-82s were palletized and dropped in five night missions during the 1991 Gulf War, all from Special Operations MC-130 Combat Talons of the 8th Special Operations Squadron. The initial drop tested the ability of the bomb to clear or breach mine fields. However, no reliable assessments of mine clearing effectiveness are publicly available. On 7 February 1991 during the aerial bombing campaign against Iraq, a two-ship formation of MC-130E Combat Talons, led by Major Skip Davenport, each dropped a BLU-82B bomb. These two bomb drops convinced an Iraqi battalion commander and his staff to rush across the border and surrender. The Iraqi battalion's intelligence officer was carrying maps of the minefields along the Kuwait border which provided vital intel for the coalition forces. The bombs were dropped more for their psychological and anti-personnel effects. Due to the size of the blast and the mushroom cloud, a British SAS recon unit who witnessed the explosion of a BLU-82 bomb mistakenly assumed the US had dropped a tactical nuclear weapon and radioed back to their headquarters exclaiming, "Sir, the blokes have just nuked Kuwait!". A US soldier writing graffiti on a BLU-82 bomb. The "1st SOW" is the USAF 1st Special Operations Wing.  US soldiers are posing on a BLU-82 bomb covered with graffiti. They are doing their Major Kong impressions.  Video: Desert Storm Daisy cutters 11 March 1991 Video: Eleven BLU-82s were dropped by MC-130E Combat Talon aircraft The 15th Special Operations Squadron dropped a BLU-82 bomb from a MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft at an undisclosed location on 11 February 1999. Video: USAF MC-130H Combat Talon II dropping a massive bomb BLU-82 AfghanistanThe US Air Force dropped several BLU-82 bombs in Afghanistan during the campaign to destroy Taliban and al-Qaeda bases. US forces began employing the bombs in November 2001 and again later during the Battle of Tora Bora, a cave complex in eastern Afghanistan, from 30 November to 17 December 2001, during the final stages of the US invasion of Afghanistan. Last BLU-82 DropOn 15 July 2008, A MC-130E Combat Talon of the 711th Special Operations Squadron, 919th Special Operations Wing dropped the last operational BLU-82 bomb at the Utah Test and Training Range, approximately 80 miles (130 km) west of Salt Lake City. A Halvorsen 25K cargo loader transporting the BLU-82 bomb.  The Halvorsen 25K cargo loader and BLU-82 bomb is being directed to the MC-130E's rear loading ramp.  The BLU-82 bomb moments after the dropping off the MC-130E's open rear loading ramp. The bomb has just started to separate from the pallet and bomb cradle.  Then later . . . boom!!!  Video: BLU-82 Daisy Cutter GBU-43 MOABThe successor of the BLU-82 bomb was the 21,715 lbs. (9,850 kg) GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), also called the "mother of all bombs"). GBU stands for Guided Bomb Unit. Development started in 2003 and only 17 GBU-43 MOABs had been manufactured for the US military. Video: Mother Of All Bombs – USAF Drops Biggest Bomb In Arsenal: GBU-43 US troops examining a GBU-43 MOAB bomb on a transport trailer. The yellow strip along the side of the bomb is the end tip of a grid fin (or lattice fin). The hole on the yellow nose cone of the bomb is where a fuse extender would be mounted. Two fuse extenders can be mounted on the nose cone, one on each side.  The first and only GBU-43 bomb drop was on 13 April 2017 in an airstrike against the Islamic State–Khorasan Province tunnel complex in the Achin District of Afghanistan along the Pakistan border, killing more than 90 militants, according to the US Air Force. A comparison of US GBU-43 MOAB and BLU-82 Daisy Cutter bombs to WWII RAF Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs.  TodayThe Phu Bai Combat Base has became today's Phu Bai International Airport.  A number of BLU-82 bombs are on display in museums in Vietnam today. The bombs were captured sometime after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975.  This bomb is at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).  The largest conventional bunker buster bomb in the USAF arsenal today is the 30,000 lbs. (14,000 kg) GBU-57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator). It was developed and tested in 2004 but funding and technical difficulties caused delays in its delivery to the USAF. Due to its size and weight, the GBU-57 MOP can only be carried by the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber which can carry 2 GBU-57s. Only 21 B-2 bombers were built in Palmdale, California. The 13th Bomb Squadron *Grim Reapers" and the 393rd Bomb Squadron "Tigers" of the 509th Operations Group (code WM), Air Force Global Strike Command stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri are the only combat ready USAF squadrons that operates the B-2 bomber as of today 2025. Two B-29 bombers of the 393rd BS dropped the Atomic bombs on Hiroshima (Little Boy) and Nagasakio (Fat Man) in Japan on 6 and 9 August 1945. Due to the B-2's "flying wing" configuration, the code "WM", bomb squadron number and aircraft formal name are painted on the large covers of the main landing gears.
(1) On 23 February 2008, crashed on the runway shortly after takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. B-2 Spirit 88-0328 named "Spirit of Texas" drops a GBU-57 MOP bomb on a test fire range.  Video: B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Drops GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) This is the combat version of the GBU-57 MOP, indicated by the yellow diamond-shaped checkered stripe. The training versions of the MOP bomb have a solid blue stripe. The GBU-57 has a "smart" fuse that is capable of achieving effects against targets on which there is limited intelligence and it can also be pre-programmed to detonate at a specified depth. Running along the side of the bomb are the yellow attachment points where the wing tip section of the grid fins will be attached.  The first combat use of the GBU-57 MOP was on 22 June 2025 during Operation Midnight Hammer, the US air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Six B-2s dropped 12 GBU-57 MOP bombs on the Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant and a 7th B-2 dropped two more GBU-57 MOPs on the Natanz Nuclear Facility. Over two dozen US Navy Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine in the strike. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi stated that both nuclear sites had sustained severe damage. There is no information on which 7 B-2 Spirit bombers (and squadron) and which Ohio-class submarines (USSGN Ohio, Florida, Georgia or Michigan) participated in this operation. Sometime in the future, more information might be de-classified and released to the public. The B-2 Spirit's successor the Northrop Grumman B-21 "Raider" bomber will also be able carry two GBU-57 MOP bombs. The US Air Force began planning for the B-21 in 2011 and awarded the major development contract in 2015. Three airworthy B-21s are currently in a testing program now and the USAF is aiming to have the first B-21s in USAF service by 2027 if all goes according to plan. Model Kits1/35: 1/72: There are a number of old 1/72 CH-54A kits with the large cargo pod but none of them include a M121 bomb. 1/144: Erschienen in Mike's Research |
Samstag, 1. November 2025
US Massive Daisy Cutter Bombs 1968-Present
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