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2004-06-27 Home Front: Tech
Small Bomb Could Vastly Increase Strike Capability of U.S. Aircraft
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Posted by Mark Espinola 2004-06-27 12:19:17 AM|| || Front Page|| [11128 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 I wonder if the next step is a clusterbomb with individualy guided submunitions, but where the canister stays attached to the airframe? like the old SUU series clusterbombs.
Posted by N Guard  2004-06-27 8:38:34 AM||   2004-06-27 8:38:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 This will happen. I have read some other SDB stories which stated that there are plans for ever smaller bombs as accuracy improves and component miniaturization evolves, as long as the ordnance effects are sufficient to destroy important types and numbers of targets. Bombs of 100lb and 50lb were suggested as next steps.

Keep in mind that the Army is accelerating development of infantry mortar ammunition with GPS guidance. They are talking about production in two years! Imagine an aircraft cruising out of manpad range with a load of tiny -- mortar round sized --GPS glide munitions wacking terrorists or enemy ground forces at will. While not as effective as an AC130 gunship, it will provide most of our combat aircraft inventory with a significant part of that offensive power.
Posted by VRWconspiracy 2004-06-27 2:45:10 PM||   2004-06-27 2:45:10 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 The BAT, produced by Northrop Grumman ,is an acoustic and infrared (IR) guided submunition that autonomously searches for, tracks and defeats armored and critical mobile targets. The BAT is a propulsionless, aerodynamically controlled vehicle (glider). The BAT is delivered to the target vicinity by the Army Tactical Missile System (Army TACMS), which is launched from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
Posted by mojo  2004-06-27 2:48:29 PM||   2004-06-27 2:48:29 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 I know it's a difficult concept, but imagine instead of small bombs think big bombs and how that might significantly augment the striking power of US aircraft.
Posted by Eddie Teller 2004-06-27 3:35:31 PM||   2004-06-27 3:35:31 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 JSOW LINK

AGM-154B (Anti-Armor) The warhead for the AGM-154B is the BLU-108/B from the Air Force's Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) program. The JSOW will carry six BLU-108/B submunitions. Each submunition releases four projectiles (total of 24 per weapons) that use infrared sensors to detect targets. Upon detection, the projectile detonates, creating an explosively formed, shaped charge capable of penetrating reinforced armor targets.


Tom Clancy wipes out a Chinese armored division with these, I believe.
Posted by Chuck Simmins  2004-06-27 3:51:11 PM|| [http://blog.simmins.org]  2004-06-27 3:51:11 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 This is all very cool, but I rather prefer the large bombs. How the hell are you supposed to kill all the orphans and baby ducks in collateral damage with these tiny things?
Posted by Laurence of the Rats  2004-06-27 4:53:19 PM|| [http://www.punictreachery.com/]  2004-06-27 4:53:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Big booms is cool,but there is something sweet about seeing an area devastated by a couple hundred small explosions.
Posted by Raptor 2004-06-27 6:07:24 PM||   2004-06-27 6:07:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 Wonder how many of these we could load on a B-52H? One of the limitations on the load the BUFF can carry is the width of the bomb bay doors. The bomb bay doors were widened on the B-52Ds so that the entire width of the bomb bay could be used and the load increased to 84 500 pounders in the bay and 24 more on the wings. Imagine how many of these cute little things the H could be made to carry.
Posted by RWV 2004-06-27 8:52:47 PM||   2004-06-27 8:52:47 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 This is all very cool, but I rather prefer the large bombs. How the hell are you supposed to kill all the orphans and baby ducks in collateral damage with these tiny things?

Good thinking. Especially those baby ducks, evil bastards that they are!
Posted by badanov  2004-06-27 8:57:02 PM|| [http://www.rkka.org]  2004-06-27 8:57:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 Well the difference is if you're accurate enough and if you change the explosive mixture a to a higher energetic one you can actually potentially do MORE damage than say a JDAM or other 2000lb bomb. Of course quite probably the ultimate version of this idea might be the LOCASS units. These types of units just reinforce the theme of the "killer swarms" type of tactic.
Posted by Valentine 2004-06-27 11:34:57 PM||   2004-06-27 11:34:57 PM|| Front Page Top

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