!    Bomb body !    Suspending lugs !    Fuzing !    Fin assemblies Bomb Body The bomb body (fig. 8-1) is a metal container that contains the high explosive charge. There is a threaded cavity in both the nose and tail of the bomb body that allows the various fuzing applications. The bomb body also has threaded cavities for the installation of suspension and/or hoisting lugs. The rear charging tube, forward charging tube, charging receptacle, and charging receptacle plug are installed in the bomb body during the manufacturing process. These are used with various fuzing operations. Suspending Lugs Suspension lugs (fig. 8-1) are used for attaching the assembled bomb to the aircraft's suspension and releasing equipment. The lugs screw into the bomb body in pairs. They are spaced either 14 or 30 inches apart, depending on the size of bomb. During loading, the lugs engage the bomb rack suspension hooks, securing the bomb to the aircraft. Fuzing There are various fuzing combinations for the bomb body, depending on tactical requirements. Fuzes are divided into two broad categories—mechanical and electrical. Mechanical and electrical fuzes can be installed in either the nose and/or tail of the bomb body. These fuzes are maintained in a safe condition by the insertion of a safety cotter pin or arming wire through the arming vane and the fuze body. Mechanical fuzes are activated by means of an arming wire or lanyard, or by electrical energy transferred from the aircraft-carried equipment to the fuze as the weapon is released from the aircraft. When the mechanically fuzed weapon is released and falls away from the aircraft, the arming wire is pulled from the arming vane. This allows the arming vane to rotate in the airstream, arming the fuze. For emergency or other tactical reasons, the pilot has the option of permitting the arming wire to fall with the weapon. When the pilot uses  this  option,  the  arming  vane  can't  rotate. Therefore,  the  weapon  remains  in  an  unarmed condition. When an electrically fuzed weapon is released from the aircraft, it receives the necessary electrical voltage signal from the aircraft firing circuits to arm the fuze. Fin Assemblies Fin assemblies provide bomb stability and cause it to fall in a smooth, definite curve to the target. The conical fin (fig. 8-1) is used for the unretarded mode of delivery. The Snakeye fin assembly is used for either the low drag, unretarded (fig. 8-2, view A) or high drag retarded (fig. 8-2, view B) mode of delivery. Low-level bombing requires the retarded mode of delivery. The aircraft and the weapon are traveling at the same speed at the time of weapon release. This means the weapon and the aircraft will arrive at the target together, which could result in explosion damage to the aircraft. Therefore, use of the retarded mode of delivery retards (slows down) the weapon so the weapon gets to the target after the aircraft has passes. The explosion occurs after the aircraft passes the target. Mk 80 series LDGP bombs are painted an olive drab color overall. A single or double yellow band painted around the nose of the bomb body identifies a high-explosive hazard. The double yellow bands indicate that the bomb body is thermally protected. This protection increases the weapon's  cook off    time if the weapon is engulfed by fire. PRACTICE BOMBS Practice bombs display the same ballistic properties as service-type bombs; however, they contain no explosive filler. Therefore, practice bombs are safer to use when training new or inexperienced pilots and ground handling crews. Practice bombs are inexpensive and can be used in more target locations. There are two types of practice bombs—full-scale and subcaliber. Full-scale practice bombs are about the same size and weight as service bombs.   Subcaliber practice bombs are much smaller than the service bombs they simulate. Full-Scale Practice Bombs The full-scale practice bombs are the Mk 82, 83, and 84 series LDGP inert bombs. Each bomb can be configured with the same components, such as fuzes, fins, and suspension lugs that are used with service bombs. The Mk 80 series practice bombs have an overall blue exterior or an olive drab exterior. Mk 80 series bombs also have a blue band around their nose and the word INERT in 1-inch letters on the exterior bomb body. Subcaliber Practice Bombs There  are  two  types  of  subcaliber  practice bombs—the Mk 76 Mod 5 and the BDU-48/B. 8-6