A-10 Thunderbolt II inadvertently drops three BDU-33 Training Munitions after Bird Strike

A-10 Thunderbolt II inadvertently drops three BDU-33 Training Munitions after Bird Strike

By Gabriele Barison
Jul 7 2019
Share this article

The BDU-33 is a 25-pound training munition used to simulate the Mk-82 500-pound bomb. It is approximately 22 and a half inches long and is blue in color.

During a routine training mission, an A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 23d Fighter Group suffered a bird strike which caused an inadvertent release of three BDU-33s, a small non-explosive training munition, on Jul. 1, 2019 at approximately 1:15 p.m.

The exact location is unknown but the suspected area is located 54 miles southwest of Moody Air Force Base in the general vicinity of 2 kilometers west of Highway 129 near Suwannee Springs.

A-10 Thunderbolt II inadvertently drops three BDU-33 Training Munitions after Bird Strike
BDU-33

No injuries or damages have been reported at this time. The incident is still currently under investigation.

The BDU-33 is a 25-pound training munition used to simulate the Mk-82 500-pound bomb. It is approximately 22 and a half inches long and is blue in color. Although the training munition is inert, it is equipped with a small pyrotechnic charge and should not be handled.

“If the training munition is found, do not approach it, take note of the location, leave the area and keep others away,” the U.S. Air Force said in a news release.

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. A-10C Thunderbolt II 23d W, 74th FS Flying Tigers, FT/80-144. Moody AFB, GA – 2011

The BDU-33 bombs are signal generating, impact or impact inertia fired practice/simulated bombs.

The BDU-33 B/B Practice Bomb has a teardrop shaped, cast-metal body with a hollow round cavity lengthwise through the center of the body.

A conical afterbody with cruciform type fin assembly with tail tube is roll-crimped into one or two grooves in the aft end of the bomb body. A receptacle is located just forward of center of gravity on top of bomb body to install a single suspension lug if required.

A hole (approx. 3/8 inch diameter) is provided on each side of bomb for hanging bomb in suspension system utilized in SUU-20 or SUU-21 Dispensers. The lug is a separate item of issue. The firing pin assembly is a sub-component of the bomb and is positioned in the bore of the body and secured in place by a safety (cotter) pin and warning tag.

This model is available from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Eugene Oliver / U.S. Air Force


Share this article

Gabriele Barison

Gabriele Barison

Gabriele Barison is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Co-Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. He has flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share this article


Share this article
Share this article

Always up to date! News and offers delivered directly to you!

Get the best aviation news, stories and features from The Aviation Geek Club in our newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.



    Share this article
    Back to top
    My Agile Privacy
    This website uses technical and profiling cookies. Clicking on "Accept" authorises all profiling cookies. Clicking on "Refuse" or the X will refuse all profiling cookies. By clicking on "Customise" you can select which profiling cookies to activate. We and our selected ad partners can store and/or access information on your device, such as cookies, unique identifiers, browsing data. You can always choose the specific purposes related to profiling by accessing the advertising preferences panel, and you can always withdraw your consent at any time by clicking on "Manage consent" at the bottom of the page.

    List of some possible advertising permissions:

    You can consult: our list of advertising partners, the Cookie Policy and the Privacy Policy.
    Warning: some page functionalities could not work due to your privacy choices