AN-M65 Bomb
General Purpose 1,000 lb Free-fall Bomb

Archive Photos ¹

AN-M65 U.S. 1,000-lb General Purpose Free-fall Bomb on display 1/13/2009 at the Yanks Air Museum, Chino, CA (Photos by John Shupek)

AN-M65, U.S. 1000-lb, WW-II Bomb ²

• Country: United States
• Era: World War II
• Designation: AN-M65
• Type: Aerial, free fall, unguided
• Length: 5 ft 6.9 in (170 cm)
• Diameter: 1 ft 6.8 in (47.8 cm)
• Bulk: 1,040-lbs (471.74 kg)
• Mass of Explosive Material: 595-lbs (269.89 kg)
• Explosive material: Trotyl or Amatol explosive

The AN-M65 was a United States 1,000-lb general purpose free-fall bomb used during World War II. Work on the bomb began in 1942. It was designed for anti-personnel or to destroy infrastructure both on the ground and underground by penetration During World War II. It was used by the United States Army Air Force and the United States Navy. The bomb continued is service after World War II with the NATO countries, and was withdrawn from the weapons inventory in 1960. The bomb components included:

1. Body,
2. Tail and
3. Fuse.

During the bomb’s release from the aircraft, the propeller (vane) rotates, allowing an impeller to spin. After a certain number of revolutions, the fuse becomes armed, allowing the bomb to function. When the bomb impacts the target, the firing pin punches the detonator causing it to detonate, activating the booster charge, which causes the main charge to explode.

References

1. Shupek, John. AN-M65 1,000-lb Bomb, The Skytamer Archive, Copyright © 2009 Skytamer Images. All Rights Reserved
2. Wikipedia AN M65 1,000 lb GP Bomb