sensitive. Fuzes are manufactured to meet all safety requirements when used properly. However, the safety features designed in any weapon or explosive component are only as reliable as the person using them. Fuzes are packed in sealed, moisture proof containers, and should not be unsealed until they are required for use. Fuzes unpacked and not used should be returned to their original condition, repacked, and dated. Once the hermetic seal is broken, these fuzes should be used before those that are still hermetically sealed. Mk 376 electric fuzes that have been removed from their sealed containers and whose shipping caps have been removed and repacked for more than 30 days must be disposed of according to current directives. Additionally, dispose of electric fuzes exposed to excessive moisture, regardless of length of time. Fuzes  must  be  handled  carefully  at  all  times  and should never be dropped, tumbled, dragged, or thrown. They should not be struck with a hammer or any tool, either  to  open  the  container  or  to  align  them  in  a stowage rack. Fuzes should not be packed or unpacked in the magazine.  When  a  fuze  is  unpacked,  it  should  be examined  to  ensure  that  the  shipping  seals  are  intact and that the arming stem is not unscrewed. Safety cotter pins,  shipping  wires  and  seals  should  be  left  in  place until   the   arming   wire   is   assembled   into   the   fuze. Arming vane assemblies must not be bent or distorted. The   hazards   of   bomb   ammunition   will   vary, depending  on  the  types  and  quantities  of  explosives involved.  Regardless  of  the  particular  weapons  being handled, potential hazards are always present. Explosive  bomb  ammunition  is  hazardous  because  of its  tendency,  when  detonated,  to  set  off  all  explosive material that is near it. Although    bomb    ammunition    containing    high explosives  causes  greater  injury  to  personnel  and  loss of equipment, the improper handling of practice bombs causes   more   frequent   injury   to   personnel.   When handling  practice  bombs,  the  weight  factor  alone  can cause  severe  injury  or  even  loss  of  limb.  Dropping  a practice  bomb,  even  a  short  distance,  with  a  practice bomb signal cartridge installed can cause the cartridge to detonate, resulting in severe and permanent injury to personnel. Accidents   are   prevented   through   good   design, testing,   and   careful   handling   of   ordnance.   Safety precautions  must  be  followed.  All  personnel  involved in  weapons  handling  must  be  briefed  on  particular safety  precautions  before  actually  handling  weapons. All personnel who handle ordnance must be qualified and  certified.  Newly  assigned  personnel,  still  under training,   are   assigned   as   crewmembers   and   never permitted  to  work  alone  until  they  are  fully  qualified and certified. Specific  safety  precautions  for  bomb  ammunition are   outlined   in   the   publications   for   the   specific ammunition and the aircraft loading manuals. REVIEW NUMBER 10 Q1. What is the maximum length of time that the Mk 376 electrical tail fuzes can be used after they are removed from their container? Q2. In  what  location  should  you  never  pack  or unpack fuzes? Q3. Why  is  explosive  bomb  ammunition  hazard- ous? Q4. Handling   ________   causes   more   injuries than handling ___________. REVIEW NUMBER 9 ANSWERS A1. Practice bombs are primarily used for safety when  training  new  or  inexperienced  pilots and ground-handling crews. A2. The two general types of practice bombs are the subcaliber and the full-scale bombs. A3. The Mk 76 Mod 5 subcaliber practice bomb is used for impact firing only. The  BDU-48/B  subcaliber  practice  bomb  is used to simulate retarded weapons delivery. A4 Mk 80 (series) inert LDGP bombs are painted blue. REVIEW NUMBER 10 ANSWERS A1. Don't use a fuze that has been removed from its hermetically sealed container for over 30 days. A2. Never  unpack  fuzes  from  their  containers  in the magazine. A3. Explosive   bomb   ammunition   is   hazardous because of its tendency to set off all explosive material near it if it is detonated. A4. Handling practice bombs causes more injuries   than   handling   bomb   ammunition containing high explosives. 1-42