MILITARY AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS Part 4 AIRCRAFT BOMBS

Aircraft Bombs Laser Guided Bombs Laser-Guided Bombs are highly accurate weapons used against both moving and stationary targets. LGB’s can be targeted using either a laser-designation pod, such as LITENING III, carried by the attacking aircraft, or by a handheld laser designator carried by ground forces. LGB’s are vulnerable to smoke, dust and cloud that may obscure the laser guidance beam. Modern LGB’s have a GPS guidance system that allows them to be guided if a laser is ineffective.

Aircraft Bombs General Service Bombs GP Bombs are Unguided Weapons that can be fitted with a variety of fuses to detonate on Impact, in an Airburst or after a time Delay. They can be used against structures & vehicles, but they lack any form of guidance and are vulnerable to the influence of the wind. This lack of precision means they can’t be used where there is a risk of collateral damage. As a result, GP Bombs are commonly limited to training use only.

Paveway II LGB

Paveway II LGB Laser Guided Bomb Paveway II is a 500lb precision laser-guided bomb which can be dropped from low or medium level and homed to its target (the basket) by an airborne Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator pod (TIALD) or from the ground using a laser designator. The bomb’s guidance package steers the bomb onto the source of reflected laser energy. Enhanced Paveway II adds GPS guidance to allow the weapon to be dropped through smoke and cloud.

Paveway II LGB Laser Guided Bomb Fitted to : Dimensions: The Typhoon FGR4 The Tornado GR4 Dimensions: Length: 3.68m Diameter: 0.42m Weight: 540lb 312kg

Paveway III LGB

Paveway III LGB Laser Guided Bomb Paveway III is a 1,000lb bomb that is designed to penetrate hardened targets. It is guided by a laser from either ground forces or an aircraft-mounted laser-designation pod. Enhanced Paveway III adds GPS guidance to allow the weapon to be dropped through smoke and cloud.

Paveway III LGB Laser Guided Bomb Fitted to : Dimensions: The Tornado GR4 Dimensions: Length: 4.45m Diameter: 0.92m Weight: 1000lb 505kg

Paveway IV LGB

Paveway IV LGB Laser Guided Bomb Equipped with the latest Global Positioning Guidance technology, it is a low-cost, all-weather, 24-hour precision bomb capable of destroying most general-purpose targets while significantly minimising collateral damage, it replaces the 540lb and 1000lb GP Bombs. The first platform to receive the weapon was the Harrier GR9, followed by Tornado GR4. It will enter service on the Typhoon FGR4 in 2013.

Paveway IV LGB Laser Guided Bomb Fitted to : Dimensions: The Typhoon FGR4 The Tornado GR4 Dimensions: Length: 3.1m Diameter: 0.42m Weight: 500lb 225kg

BL755 Cluster Bomb

BL755 Cluster Bomb Freefall, Unguided Bombs When BL755 is released it breaks open in the airflow and releases 147 high-explosive bomblets onto the target, allowing multiple targets to be attacked with one weapon. The BL755 is delivered from low-level attacks and used against small, widely dispersed targets such as vehicles and equipment. The RBL755 has an enhanced anti-armour capability and can be delivered from a medium-level attack, allowing aircraft to operate from a safer height.

BL755 Cluster Bomb Fitted to : Dimensions: The Typhoon FGR4 The Jaguar GR3 The Tornado GR4 The Harrier GR7 (Retired) Dimensions: Length: 2.45m Width: 0.41m Weight: 540lb 277kg

General Service Bombs

General Service Bombs Freefall or Retarded, Unguided Bombs The 540lb and 1000lb General Purpose bombs can be dropped as unguided freefall bombs or fitted with a retarder unit, allowing aircraft to bomb at low level over the target and get clear before detonation. Both bombs have three modes of detonation: Above a target in Airburst Mode, Impact Detonation, or Post-Impact Detonation after a pre-set delay. The warheads from GP Bombs can have Paveway laser guidance kits added to create Laser-Guided Bombs.

540lb General Purpose Bomb General Service Bombs 540lb General Purpose Bomb Fitted to : The Jaguar GR3 The Harrier GR9 (Retired) Dimensions: Length: 2.18m Width: 0.33m Weight: 540lb 312kg

1000lb General Purpose Bomb General Service Bombs 1000lb General Purpose Bomb Fitted to : The Typhoon FGR4 The Tornado GR4 The Harrier GR9 (Retired) Dimensions: Length: 2.48m Width: 0.42m Weight: 1000lb 505kg

Check of Understanding What best describes how a Paveway II Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) is guided towards its target on release from an aircraft? It acquires coded laser returns and thus guides into “the basket”. It provides its own laser source pointed at the target which it follows into “the basket”. It uses inertial fly-out before self designating its target. It filters Infrared, radio and laser energy from the battlefield - selecting the strongest source before self designating as in active missile mode.

Check of Understanding General Purpose Bombs have three modes of detonation known as: Retarded, Immediate and Delayed Airburst, Ground burst, Proximity burst Pre-impact, Impact and Post-impact Airburst, Impact and Post-impact

Check of Understanding Which of the following best describes how the Paveway II homes onto its target? It's a Fire-and-Forget missile Airborne TIALD pod Internal GPS Radar Guided by launch aircraft

Check of Understanding What happens when a BL755 Cluster Bomb is released from an aircraft? It breaks open in the airflow and releases 14 high explosive bomblets. It fall on the target and then fires off 14 high explosive bomblets. It breaks open in the airflow and releases 147 high explosive bomblets. It falls to the ground and then fires off 147 high explosive bomblets.

Check of Understanding The BL755 Cluster Bomb is particularly useful for: Bombing ships Small targets in close proximity General purpose bombing Small, widely dispersed targets

MILITARY AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS End of Presentation