iscover
The GBU-24AIB with its sophisticated digital autopilot and proportional seeker offers substantially better range and accuracy than the Paveway II, with a much wider release envelope. Fitted to the hardened BLU-109/B warhead, this weapon was used for busting hard targets such as bunkers, HAS and bridges. Two derivatives were used, the GBU-27 carried by the F-117A and the GBU-28 4,800 lb earth penetrating bomb, two of which were dropped by F-111Fs on the last day of the air campaign. CEPs are usually only several feet. (Texas Instruments)
Technology Explained – Precision Guided Munitions
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Desert Storm Analysis
Much has been said about the decisive role of PGMs (precision guided munitions) in last year’s Gulf War, what is however of greater interest is that most such weapons used in the campaign have been in service for some considerable time with earlier subtypes dating as far backas the Vietnam War. Australian Aviation will examine the more established and newer types which proved that this technology has truly come of age.
Laser Guided Bombs
The LGB made its debut in the latter phase of the Vietnam war, when USAF F-4Ds and F-4Es carrying Martin AVQ-9 Paveway and Ford AVQ-10 Pave Knife laser designators destroyed a wide range of strategic targets with Texas Instruments Paveway laser guidance kits attracted to Mk84 (2,0001b), M-117 (7501b) and M-118 (3,0001b) bombs. The earliest AVQ-9 designators were direct view optical systems, but these were later superseded by television based systems, with a vidicon camera boresighted to an optically pumped Nd:YAG pulse mode laser,and tracking being accomplished manually by theF-4’s back seat weapons systems operator (WSO).
While the weapon made a key contribution to the Linebacker II campaign, its accomplishments were overshadowed by political events and this created a perception of a lab technology item rather than an established weapon type.
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