Cluster Munitions and ERW in Lebanon

Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Volume 10 Issue 2 The Journal of Mine Action Article 12

November 2006

Daniele Ressler Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)

Elizabeth Wise Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)

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Recommended Citation Ressler, Daniele and Wise, Elizabeth (2006) "Cluster Munitions and ERW in Lebanon," Journal of Mine Action : Vol. 10 : Iss. 2 , Article 12. Available at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol10/iss2/12

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction by an authorized editor of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Ressler and Wise: Cluster Munitions and ERW in Lebanon

unexploded cluster submunitions may be Who is Helping? against measles to 16,500 children, vaccina- on the ground.10 That, however, has not Since the conflict ended, the main goal tion against polio to more than 9,000, and stopped many Lebanese from returning to of the United Nations and other interna- vitamin-A capsules for more than 9,000.15 their homes. tional organizations is to work towards UNIFIL. The U.N. Interim Force in As soon as the ceasefire went into effect making southern Lebanon clear of cluster Lebanon has provided efforts to counter the on August 14, slightly more than half of submunitions and to provide humanitarian shortage of clean water in the south with the the 900,000 displaced Lebanese residents assistance in reconstruction and recovery. Indian and Ghanaian battalions distribut- packed up their belongings and headed UNMACC–SL and the National Demining ing 100,000 liters (26,417 gallons) to the 8 home to find access to both their houses Office are coordinating clearance efforts villages of El Khiam, At Tayyabah, Kfar Cluster munitions can be dropped from the air as seen here being and farming fields blocked by UXO, most which have so far resulted in 45,000 clus- Kila, Tibnin and Haddathah.16 UNIFIL has dropped from a B-1B Lancer, or launched from the ground as were frequently by bomblets scattered by clus- also treated people in need of medical care, most of the cluster munitions used in the 2006 conflict between ter bomblets being cleared and destroyed. Hezbollah and Israel. 11 ter bombs. According to Andy Gleeson, Clearance, explosive ordnance disposal and and the Indian battalion provided veteri- PHOTO COURTESY OF AP/U.S. AIR FORCE, HO Program Manager in Lebanon for Mines information-gathering are being carried out nary assistance to many animals.16 UNIFIL Advisory Group, residents moved back to in part by the Lebanese Army, the United is working to clear unexploded ordnance, Cluster Munitions and their villages for two reasons: Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Mines mainly cluster bomblets, and a demining 1. They wanted to assess the damage and Advisory Group, BACTEC and the Swedish team from its Chinese contingent disposed protect what remained of their prop- Rescue Services Agency.8 Lebanon is also of over 1,260 pieces in one week.16 ERW in Lebanon erty, so they lived in their front yard now food-secure and its commercial sector if required (tents were supplied). has rebounded sooner than expected.13 The Future 2. Hezbollah handed out US$15,000 World Food Programme. WFP has An estimated 12 to 15 months will be The recent 34-day conflict between the Lebanese armed faction Hezbollah and Israel from per lost house to pay for 12 months’ reached more than 700,000 people since it needed to clear the cluster bomblets from rent, after which the government paid started its emergency operation in July, tar- southern Lebanon,10 but it will take consid- US$35,000 per lost house. geting approximately 350,000 of the most erably longer for the residents of Lebanon to July 12 to August 14, 2006, saw extensive use of surface-launched munitions and air-dropped “If you are not home, you miss out [on affected people in Lebanon, the majority of return to their normal lives. Despite the dif- the payments],” said Gleeson.12 them in southern Lebanon.13 In all, WFP ficult circumstances in Lebanon, the United has distributed more than 7,250 metric Nations and other international organiza- munitions (to a lesser degree), resulting in wartime casualties for military and civilian actors in Children in Danger tons (7,991 U.S. tons) of food (an estimated tions working alongside the government of As of October 8, 2006, 770 cluster- 480,000 monthly rations) and helped the Lebanon are striving to clear the unexploded both Lebanon and Israel. Since the ceasefire agreement, international post-conflict attention bomb-strike locations had been identified in government of Lebanon import 12,300 met- cluster munitions and provide the humani- the south,10 and according to Gleeson, there ric tons (13,558 U.S. tons) of wheat during tarian assistance the Lebanese need. were 320 affected communities with each the blockade period.13 The WFP also assist- Jan Egeland, Undersecretary-General has become focused on Lebanon due to the large number of explosive remnants of war left community having around 300 to 350 items ed the United Nations in transporting relief for Humanitarian Affairs, says, “The civil- of UXO recorded, although less in some supplies such as fuel, shelter materials, water, ian population[s] in Lebanon and in north- behind after the conflict. In particular, cluster munitions are proving problematic for post-conflict areas and more in other areas.12 As of and hygiene and medical equipment.13 ern Israel have been the biggest losers in October 15, 2006, there were 20 reported UNHCR/UNMAS. The partnership be- this senseless cycle of violence. ... Civilians 1 fatalities and 120 reported injuries from all tween the United Nations High Commissioner were supposed to be spared and in this con- reconstruction activities in Lebanon due to their apparent high failure rate and the potential types of unexploded ordnance in Lebanon. for Refugees and the United Nations Mine flict; they [were] not.”17 Children accounted for four of the fatali- Action Service has focused primarily on help- For additional information on the use of threat they pose to returning civilians, aid workers and military personnel. This article examines ties and 42 of the injuries, according to ing the residents return to a safe environment. cluster munitions in the recent Israel/Hezbollah Lebanon’s National Demining Office.10 It has provided tents, blankets, mattresses, conflict, see the MAIC fact sheet on page 113. As families return home, UXO has posed plastic sheeting and cooking kits to the See Endnotes, page 110 cluster munitions and the impact of their presence in Lebanon. a major problem to children, who some- most heavily damaged villages.10 Since the times mistake unexploded bomblets for end of the conflict, UNHCR supported by Daniele Ressler and Elizabeth Wise [ Mine Action Information Center ] toys. The United Nations Mine Action UNMACC–SL with warehousing facilities Service and the United Nations High and five 4x4 trucks for rapid deployment Commissioner for Refugees have partnered of the mine-action teams in Lebanon.10 arly cluster munitions were used in World War II impact or close to the time of impact. Typically the delivery systems are designed to provide mine-awareness training for UNHCR has also been working with the and were later deployed extensively by U.S. forces to carry and deploy hundreds of submunitions at a time. Submunitions are also children from villages near Tyre, where they Lebanese government to find the best ways in Southeast Asia during the American/Vietnam called bomblets, bombies, BLUs (bomb live units) or grenades. 14 E have encountered cluster bomblets on a to repair houses. War. Millions of tons of cluster submunitions were Cluster munitions can be delivered by air or surface. Air-dropped cluster dis- daily basis. They were shown photos of UNICEF. UNICEF has supported the dropped on Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam—90 million pensers (or cluster bomb units) are released or fired from airplanes, and after a the kinds of UXO scattered around National Demining Office’s Mine Risk Katie FitzGerald has worked as an on Laos alone.2 Cluster munitions were further used ex- specified amount of time or distance, the dispenser opens to allow submunitions Editorial Assistant for the Journal of Lebanon. “This training is crucial, espe- Education Steering Committee to imple- Mine Action since January 2006. She tensively during the Gulf War of 1991 (by the United to effectively cover a wide target area. With the exception of sensor-fuzed weap- cially for children who are innocent, who ment a campaign on radio and television is in her last year at James Madison States and allies), in Kosovo and Yugoslavia in 1999 ons, CBUs all fall into the “dumb bomb” or unguided category, meaning once want to play and are totally unaware that and in print media to increase civilian University where she is pursuing her (United States, United Kingdom and Netherlands), released, their trajectory cannot be controlled or re-directed.3 Surface-launched small little items can be so harmful,” says awareness—especially in children—about Bachelor of Arts in print journalism. Afghanistan in 2001–2002 (United States) and Iraq in munitions are delivered by artillery launchers on the ground that are fired over a Dalya Farran, UNMACC–SL’s Media and the dangers of UXO. UNICEF distrib- 2003 (United States and United Kingdom). long range to detonate either in the air or on impact. In the case of cluster muni- 9 Clearance Officer. uted 100,000 leaflets at army checkpoints Katie FitzGerald A cluster weapon consists of a munitions container tions, each dispenser (e.g., missile, rocket, projectile) carries a payload of submuni- In addition to the dangers of UXO, upon as well.10 UNICEF has also provided over Editorial Assistant deployed by a weapon-delivery system such as a bomb tions that is released after the dispenser is in flight, to drop over the target area. return, children have faced the threat of dis- 300,800 liters (79,463 gallons) of bottled Journal of Mine Action dropped by aircraft, rocket launcher or artillery projec- During a conflict, cluster weapons are used by the military for attacking an area ease from lack of water, and the release of water to communities in southern Lebanon, Mine Action Information Center tile, which then releases smaller munitions in mid-air where the target may be moving, such as a military convoy, either to attack and E-mail: [email protected] chemicals and dust, which have badly pol- 385 water kits containing collapsible con- that are spread over a particular area. These smaller destroy the enemy by dropping explosive bomblets (rimpact ) o to prevent or slow luted the air, causing serious health issues. tainers, and purification tablets, vaccination munitions, or submunitions, are designed to explode on enemy movement from or to an area by dropping devices that essentially function

as landmines (area denial).3 It is important munitions fail to explode, some fuzes are ex- Systems with M26 warheads (containing 40 percent for the cluster submunitions fired such as MLRS-delivered M77 bomblets can of South Lebanon and Lebanon’s National to note that submunitions are different and tremely reliable in their design.7 M77 bomblets).11 Recently HRW expand- or dropped in Lebanon during the conflict.18 be hard to see until it is too late (see story Demining Office, with additional clearance not all are explosive or harmful in the way Even testing and reporting failure rates ed its list, which now totals 12—a “dirty U.N. and Lebanese demining teams have on the next page for information on both). coming from United Nations Interim Force that it is popularly understood; for example, is problematic because there may be a dif- dozen”—cluster munitions.12 found 770 cluster-munition strike locations In this way, some consider cluster bomblets in Lebanon troops.26 More than 45,000 sub- area-denial submunitions do not explode ference between the failure rate in ideal as of October 10, 2006 and this number will with high failure rates to become de facto munitions had been cleared by these opera- but are victim-activated and classified as testing conditions and combat conditions.8 Recent Cluster-munition Use continue to grow as the search continues.19 anti-personnel landmines. tors as of October 10, 2006.19 landmines.4 For the purpose of this article, In official testing, submunitions may be in Lebanon Reports made shortly after the end of Colin King, international landmine and the submunitions discussed are understood dropped on hard surfaces without obstruc- Before the recent conflict in Lebanon in- the conflict documented initial findings of explosive ordnance disposal consultant, Legality and Future of to be those meant to explode on impact. tions such as vegetation, leading to lower volving Hezbollah, Israel used cluster muni- unexploded cluster submunitions on the notes that unexploded cluster bomblets are Cluster Munitions The area a single cluster munition can failure-rate statistics than are reflected in tions in its 1978 and 1982 incursions into ground in Lebanon, including M42s, M46s, dangerous in part because their condition is Thef use o cluster munitions is not cur- cover with submunitions is known as a foot- real conditions.8, 9 Lebanon.13 The two-decade-old unexploded three variations of M85s, M77s and BLU- unknown: They might be fully armed and rently prohibited under international human- print, and depending on the delivery system Since conditions in the field are not nec- submunitions from Israeli campaigns have 63s.4, 18, 20, 21 Notably, all four of the cluster ready to detonate, not armed and relatively itarian law. However, part of IHL prohibits and type of weapon, one cluster munition essarily the same as those during testing, in continued killing and injuring civilians, munitions dispersing these submunitions salvo may strike an area as large as one some cases cluster submunitions may have with over 200 civilian casualties recorded are included in Human Rights Watch’s square kilometer (247 acres).1 Cluster muni- significantly higher failure rates during use. between 2000 and 2005. To be fair, it must “dirty dozen” list, meaning the primary tions are useful to a military because the size Failure-rate statistics based on field use, be understood these casualties include both cluster munitions used in Lebanon are re- of the cluster-munition footprint is much however, typically can only be derived from ported to be among the most inaccurate larger than that of a single bomb. anecdotal or incomplete records taken dur- and unreliable.12 Because there are many kinds of cluster ing the conflict and are therefore harder to The cluster submunitions dispersed in munitions and bomblets with different abil- rigorously document and prove.9, 10 Thus, Lebanon appear to have been delivered most ities and uses, a convoluted understanding failure rates quoted for cluster submunitions extensively via artillery projectiles, followed of these weapons can occur. For example, may be underestimated if based on an ideal by Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and an MLRS rocket salvo is capable of releas- testing environment and may be unreliable less so by aerial cluster bombs.20 It is likely ing thousands of submunitions over an area or over-estimated if based on spotty in- that additional cluster submunitions will be within a one-kilometer (0.6-mile) radius,5 conflict data. found during ongoing clearance in Lebanon, but most other strikes have fewer submu- Reasons for a high failure rate vary and but these types, delivered by surface and nitions and a far smaller area of impact.4 can depend on the age of the submunition; air, are discussed in the sidebar on the next Upon impact, deadly shrapnel from each storage conditions; production (design, page. The United Nations also noted that

submunition can be projected over a radius construction, quality of fuzes); deployment in addition to cluster munitions in Lebanon, A United Nations Chinese battalion involved in demining the town of Hiniyah in Lebanon prepares to detonate of up to 50 meters (55 yards) from the larg- (arming and delivery technique, altitude of there are an estimated 15,300 items of un- unexploded ordnance. The soldiers locate the unexploded devices, remove and relocate them to a safe area, and then Various types of ordnance that the United Nations st bomblets dropped by air;1 delivery); or landing (angle of impact; soft xploded ordnance including air-dropped detonate them. e however, most - has collected in southern Lebanon in its efforts to e PHOTO COURTESY OF UN/MARK GARTEN of the submunitions found in Lebanon and ness and slope of terrain; vegetation such as clear the region of landmines, unexploded missiles bombs of 500 to 2,000 pounds (200 to 900 discussed in this article have a fragmenta- trees or bushes, marshes, snow or water, and and cluster bombs. Unexploded cluster submuni- kilograms), ground- and naval-launched ar- tions are reportedly being found in high numbers in 6, 9 17 tion radius of less than 10 meters (33 feet). extreme heat or cold). southern Lebanon, indicating a high failure rate of tillery rounds, and air-delivered rockets. harmless, or partially armed. If they are indiscriminate attacks, “which employ a While in no way intending to under- Cluster munitions are often delivered as some of these munitions when used during the 2006 Human Rights Watch released an un- armed, they may or may not be capable of method or means of combat which cannot conflict (see story on page 38). 27 mine the potential threat of cluster muni- “unguided bombs,” meaning that they can PHOTO COURtESY OF AP/ALFRED DE MONTESQUIOU confirmed report October 19, 2006 that firing, adding to their unpredictability. One be directed at a specific military objective.” tions both during and after conflict, it is be aimed, but once fired, there is no control- stated Hezbollah fired a type of Chinese important challenge according to King is not Additionally, IHL prohibits disproportionate important to examine cluster munitions and ling exactly where they land. This results in cluster munition into Israel as well during only to clear the submunitions in Lebanon attacks, or any that “may be expected to cause their submunitions individually rather than a higher probability that they may miss the landmines and UXO; however, after these the conflict (see story on the next page).22 safely, but to further study what condition incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civil- grouping them together and making gen- intended military target and hit civilian ar- (and other) conflicts, clearance teams have they were found in and why they failed to ians, damage to civilian objects, or a combi- eralized assumptions. This is particularly eas. Factors such as weapon design, altitude found at least six confirmed types of unex- Effect on Civilians in Lebanon arm and explode.4 nation thereof, which would be excessive in true as international attention has recently at which the dispenser is dropped or opens, ploded cluster submunitions contributing to When cluster munitions are dropped, As of October 8, 2006 there have been relation to the concrete and direct military focused on cluster munitions and is discuss- wind, dispenser spin rate and the slope of the Lebanese civilian casualties.14 the bomblets can be spread intentionally 20 reported post-conflict fatalities and 120 advantage anticipated.”27 ing their potential regulation or prohibition ground can all affect the size and location It is for this reason that Human Rights or unintentionally over a large area. The reported injuries from UXO in Lebanon, in Israel claims its use of cluster bombs in based on the potential threat submunitions of a cluster bomb’s footprint, contributing to Watch and others expressed concern when Multiple Launch Rocket System, for ex- nearly all cases from cluster submunitions.25, Lebanon complies with international law. may pose to militaries and civilians during potentially inaccurate dispersal, unpredict- it was reported that Israel was using cluster ample, is believed to have a margin of error 26 Four of these fatalities and 42 of the inju- An Israeli military spokesman told Reuters and after use. able results and undocumented locations of munitions in Lebanon in the recent con- of up to three-quarters of a mile (1.2 kilo- ries were children 18 years old or younger.25 news agency, “Everything the Israeli Defence subsequent unexploded submunitions.10 flict: first reportedly on July 19, 2006, in the meters) from the intended target.23 Because The United Nations has estimated it Forces are using is legitimate.”28 Some dis- Controversy about Cluster Munitions With these concerns in mind, Human town of Blida15 and then in numerous strikes of the imprecision of these rockets, an army may take 12 to 15 months to clear most of agree, arguing as Ken Roth from Human The dud rate for cluster submunitions Rights Watch has been developing a list across the country with accelerated use dur- may “flood” a battlefield with submunitions the cluster submunitions and other UXO in Rights Watch does that “the use of cluster varies dramatically; reported failure rates of the “worst offender” cluster munition ing the last 72 hours of the conflict.16 The in order to increase the chance of striking Lebanon.19 Because of the large footprints munitions in or near civilian areas violates can typically range anywhere from under weapons it considers to be particularly inac- United Nations estimates the Israeli Defense the intended target.23 of cluster bombs, for each strike location the ban on indiscriminate attacks, because 2 percent to over 30 percent.6 The potential- curate and unreliable. In 2003 (during the Forces fired up to 6,000 bombs, rockets and Unexploded cluster submunitions can in clearance personnel must verify an area to- these weapons cannot be directed at only ly high failure rate of some cluster submu- Iraq war), HRW called on the United States artillery a day into Lebanon.17 some cases be extremely unstable and un- taling 196,000 square meters (48.5 acres) military targets.”29 nitions is one reason they are controversial. and other countries to halt the production, Now several months after the ceasefire, reliable. While some submunitions may be to locate and destroy all unexploded sub- The tension over cluster-munition use The range in failure rate is extreme in part use and sale of four such munitions: the the United Nations and clearance groups moved successfully without detonation de- munitions.19 The United Nations reported is an intersection of humanitarian concerns because different types of cluster munitions CBU-99/CBU-100 containing Rockeyes; are continuing to collect data to understand pending on how they landed and the cause that as of September 26, over 350 Lebanese and military interests. This is reflected in and their parts vary greatly, particularly the the CBU-87/B with the BLU 97 Combined the implications of the conflict. The United of failure, others may explode with even Army personnel along with some 200 non- debates over the future of cluster muni- fuzes, resulting in varying levels of success- Effects Munition; 155-mm Dual Purpose Nations initially estimated there may be as a touch. Older unexploded submunitions governmental organization and commercial tions. Some nongovernmental organiza- ful design. In fact, not all cluster munitions Improved Conventional Munition artil- many as one million unexploded cluster sub- dropped in Lebanon such as BLU-63 bom- company personnel were working on clear- tions—notably the Mennonite Central have an unacceptably high failure rate; for lery projectiles with M42 and M46 submunitions in Lebanon resulting from an ex- blets may be more unreliable or unstable ance under the management of the United Committee—have long been advocating for example, while faulty fuzes can be a reason munitions; and Multiple Launch Rocket ceptionally high overall failure rate of about with age24; additionally, small submunitions Nations Mine Action Coordination Centre a total ban on cluster munitions.24 Other

NGOs have called for a moratorium on use, production or trade of have experienced the danger of fratricide to ground troops by unex- Conclusion cluster munitions until humanitarian concerns can be addressed; this ploded submunitions deployed by their own military. The Mennonite Central Committee has used the phrase “drop today, kill tomorrow” to Special thanks to Colin King for his assistance in is the position of the Cluster Munitions Coalition, created in 2003 The U.S. Department of Defense’s 2006 proposed military describe the danger cluster munition UXO can pose for civilians.32 This is clearly the case providing information for parts of this article. and now with over 150 member NGOs.30 spending budget requested funding to update outdated cluster mu- in post-conflict Lebanon, where unexploded cluster submunitions are already killing civil- For additional references for this article, please Rather than prohibiting use, some militaries have instead start- nitions.31 Updating cluster munitions would potentially improve ians. However, not all cluster munitions are created equal, and this issue is complex. The visit http://snipurl.com/15i42 ed taking a technological response to cluster munitions, creating targeting and the dud rate. The Army requested $124.8 million debate continues with some defending the use of cluster munitions, others advocating for See Endnotes, page 110 weapons with lower failure rates, improved accuracy, self-destruct/ to purchase 1,026 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System muni- improvements in technology or stronger legal regulation and still others decrying any use at self-neutralizing mechanisms or back-up secondary fuzes.10 Rather tions.31 The GMLRS claims to reduce the dud rate of the current all. What is undeniable is that cluster submunition duds have resulted in explosive remnants than stop using them, the goal is to increase reliability. Not all MLRS by 95 percent and the impact area by 85 percent.31 These of war that continue to injure innocent civilians. There may be more than one solution to militaries support this, with poorer ones, such as Russia and China, new munitions aim to solve many of the problems of the older clus- the problem of cluster munitions, but it demands an answer and should not be ignored. arguing they cannot afford such an approach.24 Yet improvements ter munitions: indiscriminant effects, high dud rates and attacks For additional information on the use of cluster munitions in the recent Israel/Hezbollah to cluster munitions are supported by many within the military who on civilians. conflict, see the MAIC fact sheet on page 113.

Cluster Submunitions Reportedly Found in Lebanon and Israel Daniele Ressler works as a Researcher, Writer and Assistant As discussed in the adjacent article, early reports soon after the M85 (via M395/396). Two other types of cluster munitions Editor for the Journal of Mine Action. She holds a Master of Science in vio- end of the recent conflict in Lebanon have documented that ini- used in Lebanon are the M395 and M396 155-mm artillery projec- lence, conflict and development stud- tial findings of unexploded cluster submunitions on the ground in tiles. These two Israeli-produced munitions contain 63 and 49 M85 ies from the University of London’s Lebanon include M42s, M46s, M85s, M77s and BLU-63s. Human submunitions, respectively. The range of the M395 is 23 kilometers School of Oriental and African Studies. Rights Watch also released an unconfirmed report that states (14.3 miles) and the M396 has an extended range to 30 kilometers She has studied in Switzerland as Hezbollah fired Chinese cluster munitions with Type-90 submuni- (18.6 miles).35 well, earning a Certificate for Applied Studies in peacemaking. Daniele has tions into Israel during the conflict. Most of the unexploded submu- The M395/396 are similar in ballistic performance to the previously worked in Washington, nitions so far reported are surface-launched Dual Purpose Improved M483A1.35 Unlike the U.S. model, however, reported submuni- An M85 submunition, one of the types recently An M77 submunition, one of the types recently D.C., and Seattle, Washington, in the found in Lebanon. found in Lebanon. field of conflict management, and has Conventional Munitions, with one air-delivered submunition also tion failure rates in testing are much lower at 1.3 to 2.3 percent; PHOTO COURTESY OF COLIN KING PHOTO COURTESY OF COLIN KING documented. These submunitions and their cluster weapon dispens- this lower rate is due to the addition of a self-destruct device and a lived in Nairobi, Kenya. ers are examined here. highly sensitive impact fuze.20, 36 However, by September 13, 2006, and/or self-destruct.4 This also implies that it is problematic for reports to refer to “the the UNMACC-SL reported that out of a total of 5,045 submunition M85” without specifying which variety is meant. Daniele Ressler, MSc Surface-launched DPICMs Found in Lebanon and Israel duds they had located and destroyed, 691 were M85 submunitions.17 M77 (via MLRS-delivered M26). Potentially the most lethal method for deliver- Researcher / Assistant Editor Most of the unexploded submunitions being found in Lebanon Steve Goose of HRW noted that the number of M85 duds was striking cluster munitions from the ground to a target is the Multiple Launch Rocket System Journal of Mine Action are Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions. DPICMs are ingly high for a submunition with a self-destruct feature that claims Mine Action Information Center launching M26 warheads. This rocket system can hit a target from a mobile platform 32 to E-mail: [email protected] designed for two purposes: anti-armor and anti-personnel attack. to dramatically reduce the failure rate.20 38 kilometers (20 to 23.5 miles) away.5, 9 The MLRS can fire 12 rockets in 60 seconds. Each The anti-armor feature results from a “HEAT” (High Explosive Anti- However, Colin King, international landmine and explosive ord- rocket releases 644 M77 dual-purpose anti-armor and anti-personnel bomblets and can Tank) shaped charge in the submunition that allows it to penetrate nance disposal consultant, reports that in Lebanon, initial findings saturate a target 200 meters (650 feet) in diameter with these submunitions.33 Submunition metal, while the anti-personnel feature occurs via an enhanced frag- suggest that rather than one type of M85, clearance teams are actu- HEAT warheads can penetrate up to 10 centimeters (four inches) of steel while shrapnel mentation case on the submunition that explodes to create a powerful ally finding three variations of the M85 with completely different de- can travel over seven meters (eight yards) in any direction.37 blast with shrapnel.4, 33 signs. Two of these variations have a self-destruct capability, but the The average dud rate of the MLRS bomblets is 5 to 23 percent according to U.S. tests; The M42, M46, M85 and M77 have a drag ribbon, which, when third type also used does not have this feature. While both the self- British military tests put it at 5 to 10 percent.5 That means that at a probable minimum fired, unfurls to stabilize the bomblet. The ribbon will vibrate in the destruct and non-self-destruct varieties have been found unexploded, (with a 5-percent failure rate), 32 bomblets from one rocket will not explode on impact, wind, arming the bomblet. If the ribbon does not unfurl, or becomes further research is needed to determine their individual failure rates, and have the potential to explode later. If an MLRS shoots 12 rockets in 60 seconds, at Elizabeth Wise was an Editorial entangled, the bomblet will not be armed, and therefore will not ex- the condition they were left in and why each variety failed to explode least 388 unexploded submunitions can be expected to be left on the ground over the Assistant with the Journal of Mine plode on impact, resulting in a dud that could explode later. Due to targeted area during that minute.37 Action from May to August 2006. She the compact size of these bomblets (sometimes compared with the Type-90 (via Type-81). According to an unconfirmed Human Rights Watch report, holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and size of a D battery), it is possible for a majority of the duds to become Hezbollah fired into Israel Chinese-made artillery rockets called Type-81s that were pre- is currently pursuing a Master of Arts 22 in technical and scientific communica- hidden when they land, resulting in UXO that not only may be hard viously unused by an armed force anywhere in the world. The Type-81 is a 122-mm tion at James Madison University. to see but may also look like a toy to a child. cluster munition rocket that contains 39 submunitions. These submunitions are called M42 and M46 (via M483A1). One type of surface-launched Type-90s (also known as MZDs) and are dual-purpose: as they explode on impact for an cluster munition used in Lebanon is the M483A1 155-mm artillery anti-armor effect, they fragment into hundreds of steel spheres about 3.5 mm in diameter Elizabeth Wise projectile. The M483A1 is delivered from a Howitzer, a type of can- over a wide area.38 A reliable failure rate for this submunition is not known.38 Editorial Assistant Journal of Mine Action non artillery that can fire from the ground at high angles. During E-mail: [email protected] flight, the bottom of the artillery projectile is blown off by a pre-set Air-dropped Submunitions in Lebanon fuze, with the explosion forcing 88 submunitions out of the container BLU-63 (via CBU-58/B). CBU-58/Bs are aerial aircraft cluster bombs containing to fall out over a target area.33 650 BLU-63 bomblets, developed in the early 1960s and supplied by the United States. Colin King C. King Associates, Ltd. The submunitions in the M483A1 are M42s and M46s. Sixty- These unguided bomblets are ball-like submunitions three inches (7.5 centimeters) in Wych Warren four of the submunitions (the M42s) are scored, or notched, to cause diameter with a scored steel casing that can produce 260 fragments on impact for an Forest Row them to explode into anti-personnel fragments of metal; the HEAT anti-personnel effect.39, 40 While a reliable dud rate is not known, HRW observers report- East Sussex RH18 5LP / UK warheads of all 88 of the submunitions can penetrate seven centime- ed in the recent conflict seeing one canister stamped with load date of September 1973 Tel: +44 1342 826 363 ters (2.75 inches) of armor.34 The M42/46 DPICMs have a tested and two catastrophic failures, where “the weapon completely failed to function and none Fax: +44 1342 825 961 E-mail: [email protected] 33 Diagram of a DPICM submunition. 19 failure rate of 2 to 4 percent, though additional testing of existing GRAPHIC COURTESY OF COLIN KING/ORDATA/MAIC of the bomblets were dispersed or exploded.” Unexploded BLU-63 bomblets were also Web site: http://www.ckingassociates. 11 stocks has produced a dud rate closer to 14 percent. found in Lebanon after Israel’s cluster bomb attacks in the conflicts of 1978 and 1982.13 co.uk/

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2006 3