Editing CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon

{{Short description|Anti-vehicle "smart" cluster bomb}}
[[File:Load ‘er up.jpg|thumb|250px|A CBU-105 munition is loaded to a B-52H Stratofortress]]
The '''CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon''' is a [[United States Air Force]] {{convert|1000|lb|adj=on}}-class freefall [[cluster bomb|Cluster Bomb Unit]]. It was developed and produced by [[Textron Defense Systems]]. A CBU-97 used in conjunction with the [[Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser]] guidance tail kit is converted to a [[precision-guided weapon]], and the combination is designated '''CBU-105'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app5/wcmd.html|title=Lockheed Martin WCMD|website=www.designation-systems.net|access-date=2006-09-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806021847/http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app5/wcmd.html|archive-date=2011-08-06|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Overview==
The CBU-97 consists of an SUU-66/B tactical munition dispenser that contains 10 [[BLU-108]] submunitions. Each [[submunition]] contains four hockey-puck-shaped sensor-fused projectiles called Skeets. These detect target vehicles, such as [[tank]]s, [[armored personnel carriers]], trucks and other support vehicles, and fire an [[explosively-formed penetrator]] downwards at them.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

==Operation==
[[Image:CBU-97 SFW (8steps attacking process) NT.PNG|right|200px]]
The 40 Skeets scan an area of {{convert|1500|x|500|ft|m}} using [[infrared]] and [[laser]] [[sensor]]s, seeking [[targeting (warfare)|targets]] by pattern-matching. When a Skeet finds a target it fires an explosively-formed penetrator to destroy it. If a Skeet fails to find a target, it self-destructs {{convert|50|ft}} above the ground; if this fails, a back-up timer disables the Skeet. These features are intended to avoid later civilian casualties from [[unexploded munitions]], and result in an unexploded-ordnance rate of less than 1%.

As the CBU-97 approaches its designated aim-point, the dispenser skin is severed into three panels by an [[explosive]] cutting charge. The slipstream peels away these panels, exposing the 10 BLU-108 submunitions. An airbag ejects the forward five submunitions, then five in the aft bay. Following a preset timeline, the submunitions deploy [[parachute]]s so that they are spaced about {{convert|100|ft}} apart. Then each submunition releases its chute, fires a [[rocket motor]] that stops its descent and spins it on its longitudinal axis, and releases Skeets 90 degrees apart, in pairs. Each spinning Skeet makes a coning motion that allows it to scan a circular area on the ground.

The [[Weaponized lasers#Tracking|laser sensor]] detects changes in apparent terrain height such as the contour of a vehicle. At the same time, [[Infra-red search and track|infrared sensors]] detect heat signatures, such as those emitted by the engine of a vehicle. When the combination of height contours and heat signatures indicative of a target are detected, the Skeet detonates, firing an [[explosively-formed penetrator]] (EFP) down into the target at high speed, sufficient to penetrate [[armor plating]] and destroy what is protected by it. Even well-armored vehicles such as [[main battle tank]]s, while having massive armor protection on the front and sides, are only lightly armored above,<ref name=india>[http://www.9abc.net/index.php/archives/14124 ABC: United States announced the sale to India-based 521 CBU-105 cluster bombs, 2011-08-30] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724122918/http://www.9abc.net/index.php/archives/14124 |date=2012-07-24 }}</ref> and relatively easily penetrated. Each bomb can spread penetrators over an area of {{convert|15|acres|m2|abbr=in}} or more. According to an ABC News consultant, an attack by this bomb would effectively stop an armored convoy moving down a road. While the bomb was designed during the [[Cold War]] for [[fighter-bomber]]s flying at low altitude below [[radar]] cover to attack [[Soviet Army|Soviet tanks]], a single [[B-52]] high altitude [[heavy bomber]] can destroy an entire [[armored division]] with these bombs, where in the past dozens of aircraft would have had to drop hundreds of bombs for the same effect.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=97677&page=1|title=Targeting Tanks with Smart Cluster Bombs|date=7 January 2006|website=ABC News|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025755/https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=97677&page=1|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The CBU-97, or CBU-105 version, is deployed by tactical aircraft from altitudes of {{convert|200|to|20000|ft|-1}} [[Above Ground Level]] (AGL) at speeds of {{convert|250|to|650|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=globsec>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/cbu-97-specs.htm|title=CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon - Dumb Bombs|first=John|last=Pike|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2006-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822072245/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/cbu-97-specs.htm|archive-date=2006-08-22|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
The weapon has been in production since 1992 and it was first deployed, but not used, during [[Operation Allied Force]] when [[NATO]] entered the [[Kosovo War]]. Sensor-fused weapons were first fired in combat during the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osborn|first=Kris |date=2003-08-19 |title=Sensor fuzed weapons aid combat in Iraq |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2003/US/08/19/hln.terror.sensor.fuzed/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

In 2010 the US government announced the sale to India of 512 CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapons.<ref name=india/> The expected platform is the [[SEPECAT Jaguar]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |title=AERO INDIA: Textron launches production of CBU-105 sensor fuzed weapon for India |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/aero-india-textron-launches-production-of-cbu-105-sensor-fuzed-weapon-for-india/98323.article |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>

Saudi Arabia has also requested the CBU-105.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/saudi-arabia-requests-sensor-fuzed-weapon-buy-358061/ ""] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729041328/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/saudi-arabia-requests-sensor-fuzed-weapon-buy-358061/ |date=2012-07-29 }} ''Flight Magazine''. June 15, 2011.</ref> In May 2015, [[Human Rights Watch]] reported on, and criticized, the Saudi use of the CBU-105 SFW during the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/jemen-347.html |title=Kampf gegen Huthi-Rebellen: Arabische Bodentruppen im Jemen? &#124; tagesschau.de |access-date=2017-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170426/http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/jemen-347.html |archive-date=2016-03-03 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brumfield |first=Ben |last2=Shelbayah |first2=Slma |date=2015-05-03 |title=Report: Saudi Arabia used U.S.-supplied cluster bombs in Yemen |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/03/middleeast/yemen-hrw-cluster-munitions-saudi-arabia/index.html |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

The United States last bought SFWs in 2007, after which it continued to be produced for export. In September 2016, Textron announced it would no longer produce the weapon, citing low demand as well as international controversy over the use of cluster munitions.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/09/02/why-the-last-u-s-company-making-cluster-bombs-wont-produce-them-anymore/ Why the last U.S. company making cluster bombs won’t produce them anymore]. ''[[The Washington Post]]''. 2 September 2016.</ref>

==Operators==
In addition to the United States, the CBU-105 has been ordered by Singapore, India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Weapons: Hockey Pucks From Hell |url=http://strategypage.com/htmw/htairw/articles/20130913.aspx |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=strategypage.com}}</ref>

==General characteristics ==
Per globalsecurity.org:<ref name="globsec" />
*'''Type''': Freefall bomb
*'''Weight''': {{convert|927|lb|0}}
*'''Name''': CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapon (SFW)
*'''Length''': {{convert|92|in|cm|0}}
*'''Diameter''': {{convert|15.6|in|cm|0}}
*'''Dispenser''': SW-65 tactical dispenser
*'''Bomblets''': 10 × BLU-108/B
*'''Warhead''': Armour Piercing
*'''Unit Cost''': $360,000 - baseline [$ FY90]

==See also==
* [[CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon]], WCMD guided bomb which drops non-explosive metal rods

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070911061704/http://www.textrondefense.com/products/airlaunched/sfw.htm Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) - Textron Defense Systems]
* [https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/dumb/cbu-97.htm Federation of American Scientists article about SFW's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729170646/https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/dumb/cbu-97.htm |date=2016-07-29 }}
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/cbu-97.htm GlobalSecurity.org: CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/cbu-105.htm GlobalSecurity.org: CBU-105 Wind Corrected Munition Dispenser (WCMD)]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/blu-108.htm GlobalSecurity.org: BLU-108/B Submunition]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua3nLmE7Kow&mode=related&search= Animated Video of SFW Deployment]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-216-Y6Cac Live exercise / Field test of CBU-97]

{{Textron}}
{{USAF Weapons}}

[[Category:Cluster munitions]]
[[Category:Aerial bombs of the United States]]
[[Category:Textron]]
[[Category:Anti-tank weapons]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]
[[Category:Fire-and-forget weapons]]