cluster bombs
Dispersing explosive weapons
Cluster bombs are weapons that release multiple smaller explosive submunitions over a wide area.
Dropped from aircraft or launched from the ground, they scatter bomblets designed to destroy vehicles, equipment, or personnel across a broad zone.
Many submunitions fail to detonate on impact and remain dangerous for years, effectively becoming landmines that kill and maim civilians long after conflicts end.
International treaties have banned their use, though major military powers have not signed.
Noncombatants killed in conflict
- unexploded ordnanceMilitary ammunition that failed to detonate
- dudsClothes or failures
- collateral damageUnintended harm from military action
- war crimesIllegal acts during conflict
banned · indiscriminate · inhumane · international law · human rights · prohibition · treaty · moratorium
Deployed from carrier weapon
- bombletsSmall munitions from clusters
- dispenserDevice that releases portions
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- canisterSealed cylindrical container
release · deployment · scatter · spread · dispersal · footprint · airburst · fuse
Military weapon or projectile
- ordnanceMilitary weapons collectively
- carpet bombingWidespread aerial bombardment
- saturation bombingBlanket aerial bombardment
- tacticalStrategically planned
airstrike · sortie · bombing run · target area · battlefield · stockpile · arsenal · NATO
civilian casualties
Noncombatants killed in conflict
- unexploded ordnanceMilitary ammunition that failed to detonate
- dudsClothes or failures
- collateral damageUnintended harm from military action
war crimes · banned · indiscriminate · inhumane · international law · human rights · prohibition · treaty · moratorium · disarmament
submunitions
Deployed from carrier weapon
- bombletsSmall munitions from clusters
- dispenserDevice that releases portions
- payloadCarried freight or charge
canister · release · deployment · scatter · spread · dispersal · footprint · airburst · fuse · sensor
munition
Military weapon or projectile
- ordnanceMilitary weapons collectively
- carpet bombingWidespread aerial bombardment
- saturation bombingBlanket aerial bombardment
tactical · airstrike · sortie · bombing run · target area · battlefield · stockpile · arsenal · NATO · precision-guided
shrapnel
Scattered explosion fragments
- pelletsSmall compressed spheres
- splintersThin sharp broken fragments
- shardsBroken fragments of brittle material
debris · flak · jagged · metallic · piercing · laceration · penetration · wounds · casing · steel balls
- weaponsknife, gun, sword, swords, rifle
- controversial practicesabortion, capital punishment, death penalty, euthanasia, torture
- Munitionsbombs, missiles, bullets, ordnance, warheads
- Arms Treatiesdisarmament, arms limitation, arms reduction, weapons ban, weapon bans
- Vietnam WarVietnam War, Vietnam, Tet Offensive, My Lai Massacre, Viet Cong
- ammunitionammunition, ammo, bullet, bullets, shells
cluster bombssmart bombs
Self-directing precision weapons
surgical strikes · sniper fire · cruise missiles · drone strikes · guided missiles
cluster bombshumanitarian aid
Crisis relief for sufferers
medical supplies · food drops · relief supplies · peacekeeping forces · protective gear
cluster bombsnon-lethal weapons
Armaments designed to incapacitate
defensive systems · bomb disposal · Iron Dome · smoke grenades · flash bangs