Munitions

SUU-20 bomb dispenser

Also known as
  • SUU-20
  • SUU-20/A
  • SUU-20A/B
  • SUU-20B/A
  • SUU-20B/B
  • SUU-20 bomb/rocket dispenser
  • SUU-20 practice bomb adapter

The SUU-20/A is a U.S.-origin reusable weapons-training store from Marvin Engineering Co. that combines a practice-bomb dispenser with four 2.75-inch rocket tubes. Marvin describes carriage of six BDU-33/Mk-76, Mk-106, or similar practice bombs, single or ripple release, gas-driven bomb ejection, and 14-inch or 30-inch aircraft suspension for platforms from the F-5 and F-16 to the A-29 Super Tucano.

SUU-20 bomb dispenser, Bomb dispenser and 2.75-inch rocket launcher, Munitions
Image source: SUU-20
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Bomb dispenser and 2.75-inch rocket launcher
Service note
In production and exportable
Produced
In production

Specifications

Length
122 inches
Width
36 inches
Height
10 inches
Weight
276 lb
Practice store capacity
Up to six practice stores
Documented practice stores
BDU-33/Mk-76, Mk-106, and BDU-48/B are documented compatible examples
Rocket capacity
Up to four 2.75-inch rockets
Rocket tube count
Four 70 mm / 2.75-inch rocket tubes
Release mode
Single or ripple
Suspension
14-inch or 30-inch lugs
Ejection
Gas-driven piston ram
Platform integration
F-5, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-111, A-29 Super Tucano
Training role
Multi-purpose weapons-training carriage system
Variants

SUU-20 designations identify the training dispenser/rocket-launcher family and minor configuration differences; SUU-5003 is the closely related CRV7-capable modification rather than the baseline U.S. SUU-20/A.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
SUU-20A/BExternal-hardback configuration

Designation Systems distinguishes the SUU-20A/B from the baseline SUU-20/A by its external hardback.

Sources: SBU/SBK to SXU Equipment Listing

SUU-20B/BAdditional adapter-cable connector configuration

Designation Systems identifies the SUU-20B/B as a configuration with additional adapter cable connectors on top.

Sources: SBU/SBK to SXU Equipment Listing

SUU-5003CRV7-capable derivative

Marvin and Magellan material identify SUU-5003 as a modification or related launcher/dispenser for longer CRV7 2.75-inch rockets while retaining a four-rocket and six-practice-bomb layout.

Sources: SUU-20, CRV7 Fixed Wing brochure

Practice Stores Carried

The SUU-20 is a training dispenser, so its most important carried stores are small practice bombs used for weapons-release training.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
BDU-33 practice bomb, Practice bomb, MunitionsBDU-33 practice bombPractice bomb

Marvin identifies the 25-pound BDU-33, also designated Mk-76 by the U.S. Navy, as a practice bomb carried by the SUU-20/A; Air Force budget material separately describes BDU-33 bodies with holes for hanging in SUU-20 or SUU-21 dispensers.

Sources: SUU-20, FY2002 Air Force Practice Bombs Budget

Rockets Fired

Marvin describes the SUU-20/A as both a practice-bomb dispenser and a launcher for 2.75-inch Folding Fin Aerial Rockets.

AmmunitionAmmunition typeFiring evidence
2.75-inch rockets, Unguided 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, Munitions2.75-inch rocketsAir-launched rocket family

Marvin describes the SUU-20/A as capable of launching four 2.75-inch Folding Fin Aerial Rockets, and Designation Systems describes the dispenser as containing four 70 mm rocket tubes.

Sources: SUU-20, SBU/SBK to SXU Equipment Listing

Supported Aircraft

Marvin's product sheets list the SUU-20 as compatible with multiple fixed-wing aircraft, including legacy fighters, the F/A-18 Hornet, and the A-29 Super Tucano.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
A-29 Super Tucano, Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsA-29 Super TucanoLight attack aircraft

Embraer's A-29 brochure and Marvin's sheet both list the SUU-20 as an external store for the aircraft.

Sources: A-29 Super Tucano brochure, SUU-20 sheet

F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical), Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18 Hornet (Tactical)Carrier-capable multirole fighter

Marvin's legacy SUU-20 sheet lists F/A-18 compatibility for the dispenser.

Sources: SUU-20 legacy sheet

Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II, Supersonic light fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsNorthrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger IIFighter aircraft

Marvin's sheet lists the SUU-20 as compatible with the F-5 family.

Sources: SUU-20 sheet

F-15 family fighter aircraft, Fighter aircraft family, Aircraft & UAVsF-15 family fighter aircraftAir superiority fighter

Marvin's sheet lists the SUU-20 as compatible with the F-15 family.

Sources: SUU-20 sheet

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

Marvin's sheet lists the SUU-20 as compatible with the F-16.

Sources: SUU-20 sheet

Practice Stores And Rocket Tubes

Marvin's product material presents the SUU-20 as a reusable training store dispenser that can also launch 2.75-inch rockets. The baseline evidence supports a training and compatibility page, not a standalone conflict-use page.

Practice bombs

The dispenser can carry up to six practice stores. Marvin names BDU-33/Mk-76 and Mk-106 examples, while Designation Systems also lists BDU-48/B.

Rocket tubes

The SUU-20/A contains four 70 mm / 2.75-inch rocket tubes for Folding Fin Aerial Rockets, with single or ripple firing documented by Marvin.

Bomb release

Practice bombs free-fall after gas-driven piston-ram ejection; Marvin's product sheet also notes retaining arms and swaybracing at each ejector station.

Aircraft suspension

The store can be suspended from 14-inch or 30-inch lugs, supporting use across legacy fighters, trainers, and light-attack aircraft listed by Marvin.

Sources: SUU-20; SUU-20 sheet; SBU/SBK to SXU Equipment Listing.

Timeline

SUU-20 bomb dispenser Key Events

  1. Marvin sheet posted

    Marvin's August 2020 SUU-20 sheet describes the dispenser as in production and exportable.

  2. A-29 brochure still includes SUU-20

    Embraer's March 2025 A-29 Super Tucano brochure still lists the SUU-20 among the aircraft's external stores.

  3. M-346 SUU-20 firing campaign in Hungary

    The Aviationist reported that a Leonardo M-346 conducted September 2023 range sorties in Hungary with SUU-20 rocket launcher and practice bomb dispensers as part of integration work.

  4. Marvin sheet details compatible practice bombs

    Marvin's 2026 product sheet identifies the BDU-33/Mk-76 and Mk-106 practice bombs as stores carried by the SUU-20/A.

Media

SUU-20 bomb dispenser Images

SUU-20 bomb dispenser, Bomb dispenser and 2.75-inch rocket launcher, Munitions - view 1
Source: Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano Brazilian Air Force 1.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
BRU-57/A smart multiple carriage rack, Smart multiple carriage rack, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentBRU-57/A smart multiple carriage rackSmart multiple carriage rackThe BRU-57/A smart multiple carriage rack is a U.S. aircraft carriage and release system from L3Harris that lets an F-16 carry two MIL-STD-1760 smart weapons on a single station. It combines two BRU-46/A pyrotechnic ejector units with smart-rack electronics, was certified on Block 40/42/50/52 F-16 aircraft with WCMD weapons in 2004, and supports JDAM and JSOW carriage. DVIDS imagery documents the rack on a U.S. F-16 at Bagram Air Field during Operation Freedom's Sentinel support in Afghanistan.

Sources

SUU-20Publisher: Marvin Engineering Co. | Note: Supports manufacturer background, official product image, compatible BDU-33/Mk-76 and Mk-106 practice stores, SUU-5003 modification context, and the SUU-20/A description as a bomb dispenser and 2.75-inch rocket launcher. | Accessed: 2026-07-04SUU-20 sheetPublisher: Marvin Engineering Co. | Note: Supports the SUU-20/A carriage, release, capacity, dimensions, weight, suspension, platform compatibility, BDU-33/Mk-76 and Mk-106 practice-bomb examples, SUU-5003 note, and production-status details. | Accessed: 2026-07-04SUU-20 legacy sheetPublisher: Marvin Engineering Co. | Note: Supports the older Marvin platform list that includes F/A-18 compatibility alongside F-5, F-15, F-16, F-111, and Super Tucano. | Accessed: 2026-07-04SBU/SBK to SXU Equipment ListingPublisher: Designation-Systems.Net | Note: Supports SUU-20/A designation context, four 70 mm rocket tubes, compatible practice bomb examples, and SUU-20A/B and SUU-20B/B variant distinctions. | Accessed: 2026-07-04FY2002 Air Force Practice Bombs BudgetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports BDU-33 practice-bomb training context and the Air Force statement that BDU-33 bodies include holes for hanging the bomb in SUU-20 or SUU-21 dispensers. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Northrop AT-38B Talon fact sheetPublisher: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports SUU-20 bomb/rocket dispenser carriage on an AT-38B weapons pylon as a training-aircraft context example. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CRV7 Fixed Wing brochurePublisher: Magellan Aerospace | Note: Supports SUU-5003 as a CRV7 fixed-wing launcher/dispenser carrying four rockets and six practice bombs. | Accessed: 2026-07-04M-346 SUU-20 firing campaign in HungaryPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports the September 2023 M-346 range campaign in Hungary with SUU-20 rocket launcher and practice bomb dispensers and gives non-conflict platform-integration context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04A-29 Super Tucano brochurePublisher: Embraer | Note: Supports the A-29 Super Tucano listing the SUU-20 training bomb dispenser among its external stores. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano Brazilian Air Force 1.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and CC BY-SA 2.0 licensing page for a Brazilian Air Force EMB-314 Super Tucano photo that shows SUU-20 bomb dispensers/rocket launchers. | Accessed: 2026-07-04