Lexington Park in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mk-82 500-lb Snakeye Bomb
A Low-Level "Dumb" Bomb The Mark-80 series of unguided general-purpose bombs was first used in the Vietnam War. The Mk-80 series' 500-lb variant is the Mk-82. Like all Mk-80 series bombs, the Mk-82 cannot be safely employed at low altitudes in its standard, low-drag configuration, as the bomb will explode very near the aircraft that releases it. The Mark-15 Tail Retarding Device, nicknamed Snakeye, solves this problem. Upon release from the aircraft, the bomb's four folded fins quickly spring into a cruciform (cross) shape that slows the weapon. This allows time for the aircraft to pass safely over the target before the bomb explodes. The integration and testing of all air-to-ground ordnance on naval aircraft is managed by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at NAS Patuxent River.
Our Display Bomb PRNAM's Snakeye is an accurate full-scale mock-up that was intended for display and engineering purposes, not for flight.
• Primary Use: Air-ground combat
• U.S. Service Timeline: Early 1970s to present
• Weight: 500 lb
• Length: 87.4 in
• Diameter: 10.8 in
Erected by Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 38° 16.534′ N, 76° 27.726′ W. Marker is in Lexington Park, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker can be reached from Three Notch Road north of Buse Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park MD 20653, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. AIM-9H Sidewinder Missile (a few steps from this marker); Grumman NF-14D Tomcat (a few steps from this marker); McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (a few steps from this marker); North American T-39D Sabreliner (a few steps from this marker); McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (within shouting distance of this marker); The F9F-8B “Cougar” (within shouting distance of this marker); North American RA-5C Vigilante (within shouting distance of this marker); Grumman F-9J Cougar (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 633 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
