What defines sub munitions?

Submunitions are characterized as small munitions that are deployed or dispensed from larger projectiles, such as cluster munitions or bomb payloads. This definition emphasizes the operational aspect of submunitions, designed to maximize area coverage and impact by releasing a number of smaller explosive devices over a designated area.

This dispersal capability allows for targeting multiple locations simultaneously, making submunitions effective in certain tactical scenarios. Their use in military operations is intended to defeat dispersed enemy targets or to cover a broad area, which is significantly different from traditional munitions that are typically larger, have a singular intended target, and are designed to deliver a concentrated explosive effect in a localized area.

Understanding this definition highlights the unique role submunitions play within the arsenal of military munitions and differentiates them from those that do not share these operational characteristics.