Which statement is true about a non-retarded bomb?

• A. Fins open to slow the descent
• B. Used for low-level bombing
• C. Fins open to speed up the descent
• D. Used during high-level bombing, fins remain closed allowing weapon to fall unimpeded to target.

Answer: (D)

Non-retarded bombs descend without the fins deploying, so they experience minimal drag and maintain higher speed on the way to the target. This design is suited to high-altitude releases, where the aircraft can stay well clear of defenses and still deliver the weapon effectively. Because the fins stay closed, the bomb falls unimpeded, which is the defining behavior being tested here. Opening fins would add drag and slow the descent, which is characteristic of retarded bombs used for low-level or controlled approaches. Therefore, the true statement is that fins remain closed, allowing the weapon to fall unimpeded to the target during high-level bombing.