Guided Munitions
GBU-10/12
Paveway II
Based on the MK-82 & MK-84 GP bombs,
the Paveway II series of Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs) contains a semi-active
laser homing seeker, canards on the nose & tail section, and control
surfaces on the aft end. The weapon is capable of operating in cloud ceilings
down to 2,500 feet. The GBU-10/12 weigh 2,081 lbs & 610 lbs, respectively.
The Paveway II bombs can be carried by the F-16,
F-15E,
and F-111 fighter aircraft.
GBU-15
The GBU-15 bomb is an unpowered, glide
weapon used to destroy high value enemy targets. It is designed to be used
with F-15E and F-111F aircraft. The weapon consists of modular components
that are attached to either an MK-84 or BLU-109 penetrating warhead. Each
weapon has five components -- a forward guidance section, warhead adapter
section, control module, airfoil components and a weapon data link.
The guidance section is attached to the nose of the weapon and contains either a television guidance system for daytime or an imaging infrared system for night or limited, adverse weather operations. A data link in the tail section sends guidance updates to the control aircraft that enables the weapon systems operator to guide the bomb by remote control to its target. The umbilical receptacle passes guidance and control data between cockpit control systems of the launching aircraft and the weapon prior to launch. The rear control section consists of four wings are in an X-like arrangement with trailing edge flap control surfaces for flight maneuvering.
The control module contains the autopilot, which collects steering data from the guidance section and converts the information into signals that move the wing control surfaces to change the weapons flight path. The GBU-15 may be used in direct or indirect attack. In a direct attack, the pilot selects a target before launch, locks the weapon guidance system onto it and launches the weapon. The weapon automatically guides itself to the target, enabling the pilot to leave the area. In an indirect attack, the weapon is guided by remote control after launch. The pilot releases the weapon and, via remote control, searches for the target.
Once the target is acquired, the weapon can be locked to the target or manually guided via the data-link system. This highly maneuverable weapon has an optimal, low-to-medium altitude delivery capability with pinpoint accuracy. It also has a standoff capability. Desert Storm F-111F pilots used GBU-15 glide bombs to seal flaming oil pipeline manifolds sabotaged by Saddam Hussein's troops.
GBU-24 Paveway III
The GBU-24 is a third generation laser guided bomb, called the Paveway III, and contains a penetrating warhead. The bomb is a precision guided munition effective against a broad range of high-value targets. It can be employed from various altitudes to include low, medium, and high altitude operations. The Paveway III was developed by Texas Instruments and is employed by the F-111, F-15E, and F-16. The GBU-24s performance was proved successfully during the Gulf War, and it remains in production.The Paveway III uses semiactive laser homing to guide to its target, and has an advanced guidance section with an adapted high lift airframe to improve stability and performance. The system provides operational flexibility with the use of an adaptive auto pilot feature, along with a very sensitive scanning seeker. The entire bomb weighs 2,350 pounds and is approximately 14 feet long.
GBU-27
The GBU-27 was developed especially
for the F-117 Stealth fighter's unique requirements. It is an adapted Paveway
III (GBU-24) with additional guidance features necessary to meet the F-117
strict mission requirements. Like the GBU-24, it was developed by Texas
Instruments, uses a semiactive laser for terminal homing, and weighs 2,170
pounds at just over 13 feet in length. The GBU-27 is a proven weapon from
Desert Storm, and features deadly, accurate precision.
GBU-28
The GBU-28 is the famed bunker buster used in Desert Storm. It was developed in minimal time under USAF's rapid response program. It is primarily used as a deep penetration weapon against buried and hardened command and control facilities. The bomb is essentially an Army 8 inch howitzer modified with a GBU-27 guidance kit to produce a 4,700 pound laser guided bunker busting bomb. Lockheed Missile and Space System was the contractor on the project. Two GBU-28s were dropped in Desert Storm by F-111s but has been flight tested for use on the F-15E too. Advanced versions to improve operational capability and flexibility are being studied.Information and photo provided by United States Airforce
Weapons
of Operation Enduring Freedom
The history behind some of the jets
and weapons being used in today's military conflicts.
