Graphite bomb

Background

Graphite bombs usually consists of a metal canister that is filled with spools of graphite filament and an explosive device. Graphite is a sufficiently good conductor and the current flowing in the fiber immediately vaporizes it, creating a thin channel of gas, ionized by the high temperature, around the space previously occupied by the fiber. The ionized gas, also a conductor, allows more current to flow, raising the temperature further and creating a bigger channel of ionized gas until the high voltage line is effectively short circuited. At this point either the protection of the line cuts the power, or the line fails due to overcurrent. In both cases the power distribution is cut.

As water supply systems and sewage treatment systems depend on electricity, widespread outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases, causing large numbers of civilian deaths, have in the past been the direct consequence of this bomb's use.

Uses

United States

The submunition is incorporated into the Blackout Bomb CBU-94. The CBU-94 consists of a SUU-66/B tactical munitions dispenser with 202 BLU-114/B submunitions. The submunitions each have a parachute device to orient and decelerate, and 147 reels of fine conductive fibers.

The US Navy used sea-launched Tomahawk missiles with Kit-2 warheads, involving reels of carbon fibers, in Iraq as part of Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War in 1991, where it disabled about 85% of the electricity supply. The US Air Force used the CBU-94, dropped by F-117 Nighthawks, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia on 2 May 1999, where it disabled more than 70% national grid electricity supply. The supply was restored in less than 24 hours though was later disrupted by a further attack on 7 May 1999. It was again used following the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

South Korea

South Korea has announced plans to build graphite bombs for use against North Korea to paralyse its electric grid in the event of a new war breaking out on the Korean Peninsula, subject to funding from the country's finance ministry. The weapons have been developed by South Korea's Agency for Defense Development, Yonhap news agency reported, as one element of the kill chain pre-emptive strike program. Contractors were selected in 2020 and the weapons were intended to be delivered by 2024.

China

In June 2025, the CCTV news agency shared an animated video showing a domestically produced graphite bomb, attributed to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It was shown to be fired from a land-based vehicle, ejecting 90 cylindrical submunitions. These submunitions detonate in mid-air releasing chemically treated carbon filaments designed to short circuit high-voltage equipment. It has a range of 290 km, with a warhead weighing 490 kg. It is claimed to affect an area of at least 10,000 m2.

Countermeasures

The effects of a graphite bomb can be mitigated by providing insulation. However, most power lines are not insulated in practice due to the high costs involved.

References

References

1. (19 March 2003). "Fact file: Blackout bombs". BBC News.
2. Jeler, Grigore Eduard. (2016). "The Graphite Bomb: An Overview of Its Basic Military Applications". Review of the Air Force Academy.
3. Thomasen, Kristen M.. (24 October 2008). "Air Power, Coercion, and Dual-Use Infrastructure: A Legal and Ethical Analysis". George Washington University.
4. "BLU-114/B "Soft-Bomb"".
5. "A Guide to Cluster Munitions". Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.
6. Ryall, Julian. (9 October 2017). "South Korea developing graphite 'blackout bombs' to paralyse North's electrical grid". The Telegraph.
7. Agerholm, Harriet. (9 October 2017). "South Korea develops 'bomb' to wipe out North Korea's power supply".
8. (18 August 2020). "South Korea selects companies to develop gliding graphite bomb".
9. Kajal, Kapil. "China’s 1,080-pound graphite bomb could cripple 2.5-acre power grid".
10. Eduard, Jeler. (May 2016). "The Graphite Bomb: An Overview of its Basic Military Applications". Review of the Air Force Academy.
11. Engber, Daniel. (28 July 2005). "Why Are Power Lines So Deadly?". Slate.