CBU
Military abbreviation · Weapon and Military Equipment
| Stands for | Cluster bomb unit |
|---|---|
| Categories | Military |
CBU stands for Cluster bomb unit, a weapon and military equipment abbreviation.
US designation for air-dropped cluster bombs that release dozens or hundreds of submunitions over a wide area, used against vehicles, troops and airfields. Submunitions are also called bomblets.
Example: Human rights groups criticized the use of CBUs near populated areas.
Usage notes
The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions bans these weapons for more than 100 states, but the United States, Russia and Ukraine are not parties. Unexploded submunitions endanger civilians long after conflicts end. Newer designs such as the CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon target armored vehicles.
Related abbreviations
More weapon and military equipment abbreviations
- ATACMS – Army Tactical Missile System
- ATGM – Anti-tank guided missile
- AWACS – Airborne Warning and Control System
- BFV – Bradley Fighting Vehicle
- BMD – Ballistic missile defense
- BZO – Battle sight zero
- CH – Cargo helicopter
- CIWS – Close-in weapon system
- DMR – Designated marksman rifle
- DPICM – Dual-purpose improved conventional munition
- EFP – Explosively formed penetrator
- FMJ – Full metal jacket