The PLA captured an unexploded U.S. CBU Mk 20 Rockeye cluster bomb during the 1970s Vietnam War and used it as an example to develop its own cluster bomb. In the mid-1970s 627 Factory of the NORINCO introduced the 250-1 anti-armour cluster bomb which was widely equipped by the PLAAF.
The improved 250-2 cluster bomb was introduced in 1979. this bomb is 1.52m in length and 0.33m in diameter. It weights 74kg and can carry two types of sub-munitions: 5kg anti-personnel (28 units) and 2.5kg anti-armour (42 units).
In the late 1980s the PLAAF introduced the 250-3 cluster bomb designed specifically to attack tanks and armoured vehicles. This type of the cluster bomb is armed with a large number of shape-charged sub-munitions to attack the top of the vehicle where the armour protection is the weakest.
