To-З (IJA)

Developed and produced from 1941 to 1942, the To-З was a cluster munition and initially designed to combat aerial targets. However, the To-З turned out to be more effective against ground targets. Thirty to forty To-3 bomblets could be carried in a dispensing container or modified underwing bomb racks could carry several of the To-З bomblets. Once released, either from the container or the rack, the To-3’s vane would spin, arming the munition. Use of the To-З was performed on a limited basis and production ended in

1942.

Та (IJA)

Evolving from the To-З was the Та. Each Та bomb was a 40mm hollow charge weighing.33kg (.741b). It used fixed tail fins. When attacking airborne targets, canisters contain­ing between 30 and 76 of the Та bombs would be released. A burst fuse would open the can­isters, usually just after release, to scatter the Та bombs. The loaded canisters weighed 30kg (66 lb) and 50kg (110 lb) respectively and the Та was first used operationally in 1943 with Japanese pilots claiming a number of kills using the weapon. Typically, the Та was far more effective when used against more densely packed bomber formations.

Та-105 (IJA)

The Та-105 came from the need to attack Allied shipping during the expected invasion of Japan. The Ta-105 was the Та bomblet enlarged to carry a more substantial payload. The bomblet had a 100mm hollow charge that was capable of penetrating up to 140mm of armour plate. Unlike the Та, the Ta-105 used folding tail fins that deployed upon release. Each canister contained 21 Ta-105 bomblets.