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Israeli F-16 Photos Show Unusually Marked 2,000-Pound JDAMs That Analysts Link to Rare ‘CrashPAD’

Israel has not confirmed the munition’s type, leaving provenance and lawful use under scrutiny.

Overview

  • Official Israeli Air Force images show an F-16C/D carrying two GBU-31 JDAMs with a red nose band and a yellow band that differ from typical markings.
  • Weapons markings experts say the red band commonly denotes an incendiary effect and the yellow band indicates high explosive, a combination rarely seen on JDAM-configured bombs.
  • Independent assessments judge the markings and Mk 84–class form factor consistent with the BLU-119/B CrashPAD, a 2,000‑pound agent‑defeat munition designed to destroy chemical or biological stockpiles using PBX‑109 high explosive and white phosphorus.
  • The IDF declined to detail the munitions and asserted it uses only legal weapons, while U.S. officials have not confirmed any transfer and DSCA records show no public listing.
  • Legal specialists note such agent‑defeat weapons can be lawful if used against suitably separated military CBW targets, though the presence of white phosphorus remains contentious in populated areas.