Durandal


BLU-107


Overview

Durandal

Drawing of a Durandal runway penetrating bomb.
Source: www.fas.org - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
France
Type
Aviation bomb
Entered service
Late 1970's
Status
In service
Development
Early to mid 1970's
Developer
France - Matra & SAMP
Production
1977 - ?
Producer
France - Matra
Number produced
29.000 by 1986
Designations
BLU-107 (US military)
Notable users
France
United States
Israel

Description

Introduction

The Durandal is a late Cold War era penetration bomb of French origin. It was developed in the early 1970's at the request of the French air force. It is specifically developed for use against runways. The design is based on an earlier French-Israeli development which proved very successful during the 1967 Six Day War. The Durandal is named after a mythical medieval sword.

Design

Externally the Durandal looks more like a missile than a bomb since it has a long an thin body. The Durandal functions in a unique way. When dropped it is retarded by a parachute until it faces downwards upon which a rocket motor located in the middle of the weapon is fired. The velocity created by the rocket motor allows it to penetrate the runway. The warhead that is located at the front then explodes beneath the runway for maximum damage.

Firepower

The Durandal is capable of penetrating 38 cm of concrete before the warhead explodes. The limited size 15 kg warhead does much more damage than a much heavier conventional bomb would achieve. The Durandal results in a crater 2 meters deep and 5 meters wide. Around the crater the tarmac is dislodged resulting in a damage area of 150 to 275 squared meters depending on runway thickness.

Platforms

The Duranal can be carried by a wide variety of aircraft, most of which are of French origin. The list includes the Jaguar, Mirage 3, Mirage 5, Mirage F1, Mirage 2000, Super Etendard, Hawk, Alpha Jet, A-4 Skyhawk, F-5 Tiger, F-4 Phantom, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-111 Aardvark. All aircraft can carry multiple Durandals due to its limited weight. On some externals stores mounts two durandals can be fitted behind each other.

Users

The Durandal was acquired by France and nearly 20 other nations. During the 1991 Gulf War the Durandal was dropped by both French and US forces.

Details

Facts Durandal
General
Origin
France
Type
Penetration bomb
Dimensions
Weight
185 kg boosted warhead section only
219 kg with parachute section
Length
2.49 m
Diameter
0.223 m for parachute section
0.212 m for warhead section
Wingspan
0.42 m
Lug spacing
356 mm
Guidance
Guidance mode
None, free fall bomb
Maneuvering
Parachute air brakes ensure vertical position before rocket motor downward boost
Warhead
Warhead type
Penetrator with HE blast
Warhead weight
100 kg with 15 kg HE filler
Fuse
Delayed impact
Effect
Penetrates 0.38 m of concrete
Crater of 2 m wide and 5 m deep
Launch envelope
Release altitude
Up to 10 km
Release speed
Up to Mach 1.8
Propulsion
Engine type
Solid propellant rocket motor
Engine model
Snecma RP30
Thrust
92.4 kN for 0.45 second
Max speed
260 to 270 m/s
Air brake
2 parachutes

Media