Eglin Air Force Base in Florida played a critical role in providing humanitarian aid during the 1999 Kosovo conflict. The challenge arose from the need to deliver Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDRs) to refugees scattered across the region. Traditional cargo aircraft were deemed unsuitable due to bad weather conditions and the threat of surface-to-air missiles.
Photo: USAF
In response to this urgent need, Eglin’s 46th Test Wing/ Seek Eagle team, specializing in rapid test and evaluation, spearheaded the development of a modified M129 leaflet bomb (M129 E3) for HDR delivery. The M129 E2 leaflet bomb, typically employed for propaganda purposes, was rapidly reconfigured to house and dispense HDRs.
Acting with remarkable speed, the team assembled and planned flight tests within a mere four days. A crucial aspect of the testing process involved determining the modified bomb’s mass properties to ensure safe separation from the aircraft during deployment. Test drops from an F-15E fighter jet yielded mixed results. While the M129 E3 functioned as intended, accuracy and the degree of damage sustained by the HDRs upon impact varied. The team even identified a solution to mitigate pressure changes at high altitudes that could potentially rupture food packets within the M129 E3.
Photo: USAF
The M129 E3 successfully demonstrated the feasibility of HDR delivery from high-flying jets. However, the limited number of rations the F-15E could carry (288 HDRs for each aircraft) compared to larger aircraft like the B-52 bomber became a significant factor. Recognizing this limitation, the Eglin team recommended using the F-15E as a secondary option.
Ultimately, Air Force leadership opted for a different solution – high-altitude drops from C-17 transport aircraft utilizing tri-walled boxes to house the HDRs. This approach offered a greater capacity for delivering rations, prioritizing widespread coverage over pinpoint accuracy in reaching refugees.
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