Smart Bombs – Precision Guided Weapons

INTRODUCTION Smart bombs are weapons capable of destroying enemy targets without the need for a launch aircraft to penetrate the envelopes of the air defense systems. These essentially comprise a terminal guidance unit that guides them in the last phase to achieve pinpoint accuracy. Increased accuracy means that a single, moderate-size bomb can give a better result than multiple strikes with larger, non-guided bombs.

The Bomb Consists of explosive material packed into a sturdy case consisting of a fuze mechanism Fuze has a triggering device -typically a time-delay system, an impact sensor or a target-proximity sensor Trigger goes off -> Fuze ignites the explosive -> Extreme Pressure and flying debris -> Serious Damage

‘Dumb’ Bombs Consists only of the basic elements mentioned above Used through WW-I & WW-II Simply falls to the ground without actively steering itself Resulted in ‘Carpet Bombing’ – still 95% misses – immense collateral damage

‘Smart’ Bombs Smart Bomb = Dumb Bomb + few modifications electronic sensor control system Power source (battery) movement controlling mechanism (usually fins)

Making dumb bombs smart Application of CAD/CAM Welding technology CNC machines

How they work In flight like gliders i.e. no propulsion system but forward velocity & ability to stabilize and steer Intelligence lies with the sensor and control systems Sensor system tracks target -> Control System figures out how to steer towards target -> adjustments by the flight fins Adjustments continue till impact.

Categorizing Smart Bombs Based on how they ‘see’ the target TV/IR guided(GBU-15) Laser guided(GBU-10) GPS guided ( JDAM)

TV/IR Guided Conventional TV/IR cameras mounted on their noses to ‘see’ the target Automatic Mode – Pilot locates and locks onto the target via bomb camera before release -> control system keeps the image of target in display’s center

Laser Guided Cameras replaced by laser seekers. Pilot ‘paints’ target with laser beam. Each laser designator has unique pulse pattern (transferred to bomb so that it doesn’t get confused)

The Problem Both TV/IR controlled and laser-guided weapons rely on continued visual contact with the target. In cloudy weather, then, the bombs may veer off course, wasting the bomb and potentially causing costly damage to unintended targets. Solution: satellite-guided weapons

GPS guided No need of the bomb sensor to maintain visual contact till the bomb hits the target Aircraft uses its GPS to locate targets -> feeds information to Bombs Control System Once the bomb is released its own GPS system receives real time information from satellites tracking its position. Control System ensures it stays on target

Advantages Bomb doesn't have to see anything at all to find its way to the target At around $20,000 per tail kit GPS guided bombs are much more economical than $120,000+ laser-guided bombs

Potential Difficulties GPS Jamming Improving accuracy – technology limitations Human intelligence errors

Smartest One XM982 Excalibur Developed by—Raytheon Missile systems and BAE Bofors Accuracy – 1.0 mtrs Max Range – 57 kms

Conclusions Precision-guided weapons, especially those equipped with GPS technology, have greatly improved the military’s strike capabilities and reduced many of the difficulties of war. However, there are still significant improvements that can be made to maximize the efficiency of modern weapons technology.

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