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Mark 77 bomb - Definition |
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The Mark 77 is a US 750-lb (340-kg) air-dropped incendiary bomb that carries a fuel gel mix that is the direct successor to napalm.
Mk-77s were used by the US Marine Corps during the Gulf War. Approximately 500 were dropped, reportedly mostly on Iraqi-constructed oil filled trenches. Mk-77s were also in use in the 2003 Iraq War.
Use of incendiary bombs against civilian populations was banned in a 1980 United Nations Convention. The US has not signed this agreement although they did retire use of napalm. The Mk-77 is the only incendiary bomb currently in use by the United States Military. Another incendiary weapon - White phosphorus - is also in use. No other country uses these weapons.
The chemical used differs from napalm of the Vietnam War era in that it is based on kerosene and a polystyrene-like gel and reportedly contains an oxidizing agent. This will make it even more difficult to put out once ignited. The official designation of Vietnam-era napalm bombs is the Mark 47. Mk-77s are commonly referred to as napalm in US Military slang.
The US Military has issued denials against articles claiming the use of napalm in cases where it seems that Mk-77s had actually been deployed (see referenced articles). The Pentagon has claimed that the Mk-77 has less impact on the environment.
References
Related
Napalm
White Phosphorus
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