Untitled Document
Special Weapons Ordinance Device (SWOD) MK 9/ASM-N-2 «Bat» Gliding Bomb
Saying that the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) “took part” in developing military technologies during WWII would be a sheer understatement. The history of the “Bat” gliding bomb, the first combat-tested fully automated guided bomb, shows the scientific and engineering leading role of NBS during the critical period of American history.
The works on creating the anti-ship guided bomb began in 1941. At first, the bomb had to be equipped with a television guidance system with remote control. But the tests showed that the system was flawed. So attempts were made to equip the bomb with the passive radiolocation auto guidance system. After further tests and attempts to improve the guidance system, a decision was made to replace it with an active radiolocation system combined with an autopilot.
In this state the bomb was sent for the tests in May 1944, and passed them relatively well. In 1945 “Bat” went into mass production. The bomb was 3.63 m long, its wings were 3.05 m wide, it weighted 853 kg, 450 of which were for the Torpex-filled explosive part. Bomb could be launched at the range up to 32 km and height up to 8000 m. And it was the world’s first fully automatic bomb, which implemented the “fire-and-forget” principle. “Bat” could be hung under various aircraft, including PB4Y-2 Privateer, P-2 Neptune, F4U-4 Corsair, Helldiver and Avenger.
According to the American data, this bomb helped to destroy several Japanese ships near Borneo shores, including one destroyer. “Bat” was in service until 1953. Several hundred of these bombs have been made, which is no small amount for such a complex and expensive weapon.
"Bat" bomb in the "Pacific Storm"
| 
