MK-20 Rockeye Cluster Bomb Unit
Date Acquired: June 1, 2008
From: US Air Force
Displayed: July 30, 2008
This Units History
Was used on the F-117 program as a test load.
The MK-20 Rockeye is a free-fall, unguided Cluster Bomb Unit (CBU) designed to kill tanks and armored vehicles. The system consists of a clamshell dispenser, a mechanical MK-339 timed fuse, and 247 dual-purpose armor-piercing shaped-charge bomblets.
The bomblet weighs 1.32 pounds and has a 0.4-pound shaped-charge warhead of high explosives, which produces up to 250,000 psi at the point of impact, allowing penetration of approximately 7.5 inches of armor. Rockeye is most efficiently used against area targets requiring penetration to kill.
Fielded in 1968, the Rockeye dispenser is also used in the Gator air-delivered mine system. The bomblets free fall over a 3,300 square yard area and detonate on impact. The shaped warhead charge in the bomblet is good against armor and soft skinned targets.
During Desert Storm US Marines used the weapon extensively, dropping 15,828 of the 27,987 total Rockeyes against armor, artillery, and antipersonnel targets. The remainder were dropped by Air Force (5,345) and Navy (6,814) aircraft.
The Mk 427 Mod 0 and Mod 1 shipping and storage containers encase one fully assembled Mk 20 bomb cluster. The reusable
this page online
A rubber gasket provides an environmental seal when the upper and lower shells are mated. External frame members are welded to each half of the container so the containers can be stacked six high and provide the necessary fittings for ground-handling equipment.
Erected by Joe Davies Heritage Airpark.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.
Location. 34° 36.17′ N, 118° 5.264′ W. Marker is in Palmdale, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker is on E Avenue P west of 25th Avenue E, on the right when traveling west. Located at Joe Davies Heritage Airpark. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2001 E Avenue P, Palmdale CA 93551, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A-4AR Cockpit Trainer (a few steps from this marker); Wright J65 Turbojet Engine (a few steps from this marker); F-101 Voodoo Escort Fighter (within shouting distance of this marker); William J. "Pete" Knight (within shouting distance of this marker); F-86 (within shouting distance of this marker); B-2 Spirit
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,108 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
