Munitions

BDU-33 practice bomb

Also known as
  • BDU-33
  • BDU-33/B
  • BDU-33D/B
  • Bomb Dummy Unit 33

The BDU-33 practice bomb is a U.S. 25-pound sub-scale training munition used to simulate Mk 82 low-drag bomb releases without dropping a full-size weapon. Army material describes a tear-drop-shaped bomb body with a spotting charge, Air Force reporting notes the blue finish and approximate 22.5-inch length, and range guidance treats expended BDU-33s as practice munitions that still require controlled clearance.

BDU-33 practice bomb, Practice bomb, Munitions
Image source: Moody A-10 dropped object reported | Moody AFB
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Practice bomb
Unit cost
About $13 each (1988 GAO estimate); FY2003 Air Force budget material listed BDU-33D/B at $19.50 each.

Specifications

Weight
25 lb
Length
About 22.5 in
DODIC
E969 for the BDU-33D/B practice bomb
Body
Tear-drop-shaped practice bomb body
Simulated weapon
Mk 82 low-drag bomb
Spotting charge
Small pyrotechnic charge for target marking
Carrier Aircraft

Open-source military and manufacturer material documents the BDU-33 as a training bomb carried by tactical aircraft and trainer/light-attack platforms for range work and weapons-release practice.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
A-10 Thunderbolt II, Close air support attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsA-10 Thunderbolt IIClose air support aircraft

Air Force imagery shows an A-10C dropping a BDU-33 during range training, and Moody AFB reporting describes A-10C carriage of BDU-33 training munitions.

Sources: USAF A-10C drops BDU-33 | Wikimedia Commons, Moody A-10 dropped object reported | Moody AFB

F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighter aircraft

A DVIDS range-day report says F-16 pilots dropped BDU-33 and BDU-50 inert practice bombs, while a public-domain Air Force image shows an F-16 carrying BDU-33 practice bombs over the Bardenas range.

Sources: Down on the Range | DVIDS, USAF F-16 over Bardenas Reales | Wikimedia Commons

Aero L-39NG, Two-seat subsonic jet trainer and light-attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAero L-39NGTrainer and light-attack aircraft

The Skyfox brochure lists BDU-33 practice bombs with a bomb dispenser among western payloads and mission profiles.

Sources: L-39 SKYFOX brochure | Aero

Training Role And Range Handling

The BDU-33 is best understood as a sub-scale release and scoring aid rather than a battlefield bomb. It lets aircrews practice low-drag bomb delivery, observe a spotting-charge mark, and recover from range operations without expending a full-size Mk 82.

TopicSourced detailWhy it matters
Training analogueArmy material describes the BDU-33 as a 25-pound practice bomb that simulates the Mk 82 low-drag bomb.Readers should not infer the blast effect or combat role of a 500-pound Mk 82 from the BDU-33 training shape.
Aircraft release practiceAir Force and DVIDS material document A-10C and F-16 range events involving BDU-33 carriage or drops.The munition is useful because it is tied to aircraft weapons-release training, not because it is a standalone combat weapon.
Range clearanceAir Force range guidance uses BDU-33 as an example of sub-scale practice munitions and limits handling of unprobed items to EOD or UXO-qualified personnel.The small pyrotechnic charge and range-residue rules explain why practice bombs remain controlled ordnance after impact.

Sources: BDU-33 Practice Bomb | Army JPEO A&A; Moody A-10 dropped object reported | Moody AFB; Down on the Range | DVIDS; AFMAN 13-212 Range Planning and Operations | DAF.

Timeline

BDU-33 practice bomb Key Events

  1. GAO ammunition-budget estimate

    GAO reviewed a fiscal-year 1988 Department of Defense ammunition request that included about 426,000 BDU-33 practice bombs at roughly $5.5 million, a historical unit-cost baseline near $13.

    Sources: Potential Reductions to DOD's Fiscal Year 1988 Ammunition Budget | GAO

  2. Air Force BDU-33D/B procurement listing

    Air Force budget material identified the BDU-33D/B under practice bombs with DODIC E969, Delfasco procurement history, and FY2003 planning at $19.50 per unit.

    Sources: FY2003 Air Force Practice Bombs Budget | SAF/FM

  3. Army portfolio entry

    The Army JPEO Ammunition portfolio described the BDU-33 as a 25-pound practice bomb that simulates the Mk 82 low-drag bomb and listed Delfasco as the prime contractor.

    Sources: BDU-33 Practice Bomb | Army JPEO A&A

  4. Moody A-10 training-munition report

    Moody AFB described a BDU-33 as a blue 25-pound training munition with a small pyrotechnic charge after an A-10C dropped three during a training sortie.

    Sources: Moody A-10 dropped object reported | Moody AFB

  5. F-16 range-day drops

    DVIDS reported that 77th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilots dropped BDU-33 and BDU-50 inert bombs during a Poinsett Electronic Combat Range demonstration.

    Sources: Down on the Range | DVIDS

Media

BDU-33 practice bomb Images

BDU-33 practice bomb, Practice bomb, Munitions - view 1
Source: Moody A-10 dropped object reported | Moody AFB
BDU-33 practice bomb, Practice bomb, Munitions - view 2
Source: USAF A-10C drops BDU-33 | Wikimedia Commons
BDU-33 practice bomb, Practice bomb, Munitions - view 3
Source: USAF F-16 over Bardenas Reales | Wikimedia Commons
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Sources

BDU-33 Practice Bomb | Army JPEO A&APublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports the BDU-33 practice bomb description, tear-drop-shaped body, spotting charge, Mk 82 low-drag simulation, and Delfasco prime-contractor line. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Moody A-10 dropped object reported | Moody AFBPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the 25-pound training munition description, approximate 22.5-inch length, blue color, small pyrotechnic charge, A-10C carriage context, public handling warning, and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Potential Reductions to DOD's Fiscal Year 1988 Ammunition Budget | GAOPublisher: U.S. Government Accountability Office | Note: Supports the historical BDU-33 cost estimate of about $5.5 million for 426,000 bombs. | Accessed: 2026-06-29FY2003 Air Force Practice Bombs Budget | SAF/FMPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the BDU-33D/B designation, practice-bomb budget nomenclature, DODIC E969, Delfasco procurement history, and FY2003 unit-cost planning figure. | Accessed: 2026-06-29L-39 SKYFOX brochure | AeroPublisher: Aero Vodochody | Note: Supports the L-39NG carriage relationship showing BDU-33 practice bombs with a bomb dispenser among western payloads and mission profiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Down on the Range | DVIDSPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports F-16 range-training carriage and dropping of BDU-33 inert practice bombs during the 77th Fighter Squadron Range Day event. | Accessed: 2026-06-29USAF A-10C drops BDU-33 | Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image documenting an A-10C dropping a BDU-33 at Barry M. Goldwater Range. | Accessed: 2026-06-29USAF F-16 over Bardenas Reales | Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image documenting an F-16 carrying BDU-33 practice bombs over the Bardenas range in Spain. | Accessed: 2026-06-29AFMAN 13-212 Range Planning and Operations | DAFPublisher: Department of the Air Force | Note: Supports range-clearance context for BDU-33 as a sub-scale practice munition requiring EOD or UXO-qualified handling when unprobed. | Accessed: 2026-06-29