M43 BZ cluster bomb

Each bomb was capable of covering an area of 0.11 to 0.88 ha (0.27 to 2.17 acres) with BZ agent, a useful quantity to support squad or company sized elements.

Its effectiveness was hindered by limitations of the BZ agent which was easily visible and could be countered by a few layers of cloth over the nose and mouth.

[4] The M43 cluster bomb was intended to cover an area of about 0.11 to 0.88 ha (0.27 to 2.17 acres) with BZ agent, which made it useful for attacking a squad or company sized element.

[4] If the M43 had been used in open terrain under neutral atmospheric stability it could have potentially incapacitated about 94% of the target with a fatality rate no greater than 2%.

[4] The weaponization of BZ presented other problems including the agent cloud's easy visibility, and simple counter-measures (such as a few layers of cloth over the mouth and nose) could defeat it.