Mk 84

The Mark 84, also designated BLU-117, entered service during the Vietnam War as the largest variant within the Mark 80 series of general purpose aircraft bombs. At the time of its introduction, it was among the largest conventional bombs in the United States inventory, though its relative size ranking has decreased following the introduction of heavier specialized munitions in subsequent decades.

The weapon consists of a streamlined steel casing filled with tritonal high explosive. It is designed to create craters, penetrate metal or concrete structures, and produce fragmentation upon detonation. The bomb is compatible with various fin, fuze, and retardation configurations. It serves as the warhead for several precision-guided munitions, including Paveway laser-guided bombs, electro-optical systems, and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits. It is also utilized in the construction of Quickstrike sea mines. Guidance kits, such as the HGK, are used to convert the unguided bomb into GPS/INS-guided munitions. Safety testing has established cook-off parameters for the casing when exposed to external heat sources.

The Mark 84 is widely deployed and has been used by United States forces in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, the bombing of Yugoslavia, and the 2026 Iran War. It is also operated by Israel, which utilized the weapon during the 2014 Gaza War and subsequent operations in the region. Forensic investigations have identified the use of the bomb by Saudi-led forces during the intervention in the Yemeni civil war. The United States has transferred the weapon to international partners in large quantities. Combat use includes the July 2024 al-Mawasi attack that killed Mohammed Deif and Rafa Salama, resulting in over 90 fatalities and 300 injuries. The weapon was also used in the September 2024 strike against Hezbollah leadership in Lebanon.