The M44 generator cluster was an American chemical cluster bomb designed to deliver the incapacitating agent BZ. It was first mass-produced in 1962 and all stocks of the weapons were destroyed by 1989.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/M44_generator_cluster.jpg/220px-M44_generator_cluster.jpg)
History
editThe United States Army Chemical Corps renewed their chemical warfare (CW) program's focus in the early 1960s.[1][2] This refocusing led to the pursuit of weapons utilizing agent BZ. In March 1962 the U.S. Army first began mass-production of the M44 generator cluster, along with the M43 BZ cluster bomb.[1][2]
Despite reaching mass-production ("standardization" in military jargon) levels, the M44 and the M43 were never truly integrated into the main U.S. chemical arsenal.[1] In total, around 1,500 of the M44s and M43s were produced.[1] All U.S. BZ munitions and agent stockpiles were stored at Pine Bluff Arsenal.[3] The entire U.S. BZ stockpile, including the M44s, were demilitarized and destroyed between 1988 and 1989.[3]
Specifications
editThe M44 had a diameter of 15 inches (380 mm) and a length of 60 inches (1.5 m).[3] Weighing 175 pounds (79 kg) the M44 generator cluster was a cluster bomb which was designed to deliver approximately 39 pounds (18 kg) of the chemical incapacitating agent BZ.[3]
The weapon's sub-munitions are a combination of various components. Three M16 BZ smoke generators were held together in an M39 cluster adapter and its M92 wire assembly; the M39 essentially bound and buckled the generators together.[4] Each generator also held its own parachute,[3] complete with harnesses and its own container.[4] Also within the generator was its "generator pail" which contained the M6 canisters, the part of the sub-munition that held the BZ.[3][4] Each of the M44s three generator pails held 42 M6 canisters,[3][4] a total of 126.[citation needed] The canisters were arranged in 14 three-canister tiers and each one held about 5 ounces (140 g) of agent BZ.[3]
Issues
editThe M44s relatively small production numbers were due, like all U.S. BZ munitions, to a number of shortcomings. The M44 dispensed its agent in a cloud of white, particulate smoke.[3] This was especially problematic because the white smoke was easily visible and BZ exposure was simple to prevent; a few layers of cloth over the mouth and nose are sufficient.[5] There were a number of other factors that made BZ weapons unattractive to military planners.[5] BZ had a delayed and variable rate-of-action, as well as a less than ideal "envelope-of-action".[5] In addition, BZ casualties exhibited bizarre behavior, 50 to 80 percent had to be restrained to prevent self-injury during recovery.[5] Others exhibited distinct symptoms of paranoia and mania.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Davison, Neil. "'Off the Rocker' and 'On the Floor': The Continued Development of Biochemical Incapacitating Weapons Archived 2008-11-09 at the Wayback Machine", Bradford Science and Technology Report No. 8, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford (UK), August 2007, p. 5, accessed December 12, 2008.
- ^ a b Smart, Jeffery K. Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare Archived 2012-08-26 at the Wayback Machine: Chapter 2 - History of Chemical and Biological Warfare: An American Perspective, (PDF Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine: p. 51), Borden Institute, Textbooks of Military Medicine, PDF via Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, accessed December 12, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mauroni, Albert J. Chemical Demilitarization: Public Policy Aspects, (Google Books), Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003, p. 19, (ISBN 027597796X).
- ^ a b c d Chemical Weapons and Munitions Archived 2011-05-01 at the Wayback Machine, U.S. Army Technical Manual (TM 43-0001-26-2), April 29, 1982, via uxoinfo.com, pp. 15-16 (1-7 thru 1-8), accessed December 12, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Kirby, Reid. "Paradise Lost: The Psycho Agents", The CBW Conventions Bulletin, May 2006, Issue no. 71, pp. 2-3, accessed December 12, 2008.