Practice Bomb Missing After Falling Off Aircraft

Cambridgeshire, United kingdom A Royal Air Force (RAF) Harrier jet on a training mission lost a practice bomb sometime after taking off . The aircraft based out of RAF Wittering was on its way to the Holbeach drop zone on a munitions training run when the bomb dropped off the aircraft. The bomb was reported as 14 kg practice bomb like the one shown in the image below.

Concerned about the safety of the public since the practice bomb contained a pyrotechnic charge designed to provide a smoke and flash effect upon impact, Authorities have issued several public notices about the incident. Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials have asked to public to call police if they find anything that resembles the bomb. MOD officials have also stressed that the public should not attempt to handle or move the bomb if it is found.

It's unknown where and when the bomb fell off the aircraft. A review of the flight path of the aircraft suggests that the bomb may have landed in public accessible areas, the training range itself, or in the sea. MOD officials acknowledged that the bomb's pyrotechnic charge probably functioned upon impact but they could not confirm that for sure. An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the bomb's unintentional release.