US Air Force Modifies Standard GBUs & Glide Bombs to Hit Moving Targets With New Seeker

By Cameron Curtis

Introduction-Guided Bombs

Guided bomb units (GBUs) are extremely effective against static targets. They came into their own during the Vietnam war when they were used to bomb difficult targets like bridges. As time passed, improvements were made to their guidance, and their range was extended. All bombs glide because of their trajectory upon release from the delivery aircraft, but the range of a guided bomb can be extended by the addition of fold-out wings.

In a previous article, Glide Bombs, I described the effectiveness of Russian glide bombs in shattering Ukrainian fortifications. Typically, a US smart bomb, the JDAM, is targeted using GPS guidance. The JSOW (Joint Stand-Off Weapon), is a guided glide bomb with fold-out wings. Russian glide bombs are targeted with GLONASS, the Russian equivalent of GPS.

The problem is that such glide bombs are effective against static targets. To state the obvious, many targets move. Vehicles. Trains. Ships. For such targets, a GPS-guided GBU is not effective. A laser-guided GBU can do the job, but requires either an operator on the ground, or a second aircraft, to lase the target and remain on post until impact. This exposes the element lasing the target to significant risk.

Clearly, it is purposeful to develop guided bombs and glide bombs with seeker heads. Such weapons, once locked on to a target, can self-course-correct to impact.

The Problem of Moving Targets – Guided Bombs with Seekers

On June 21, 1921 bombers of Brigadier General Billy Mitchell’s First Provisional Air Brigade sank the captured German battleship Ostfriesland. The biggest criticism of Billy Mitchell’s achievement was that the ship had no air defense and was not maneuvering. The British proved the concept at Taranto, and the Japanese at Pearl Harbor.