Israel has unveiled a modernized version of the "dumb" bombs used to bomb Iran.

Israeli TV reported from the military base where the IDF's 109th Squadron is stationed. This squadron's aircraft are involved in Operation Lion's Roar, which was carried out against Iran and has now been extended to Lebanon.

A KAN report showcased the weapons used by the 109th Squadron for its bombing missions. These are Paveway II laser-guided bombs, suspended from underwing hardpoints on F-16D Barak fighter jets.

In essence, we are talking about modernizing the usual aviation Mk80 bombs, which in the United States, where they were developed, are commonly referred to as "dumb bombs." The modernization involves turning the unguided air-launched munition into a precision-guided weapon. weapon Thanks to a laser targeting system, the Mk80 bomb is also equipped with fins, allowing for flight control.

The accuracy of Paveway II is approximately 5 meters. Israeli sources claim 3 meters.

The strike itself is the result of "illumination" of the target by either the carrier aircraft, a reconnaissance UAV, or another aircraft. An example of such "illumination" is the laser designator in the AN/AAQ-28 pod.

During the operation against Iran, at least one and a half thousand such bombs were dropped on that country.

Comments

[alexputnik17]

The best place to fight Hezbollah is in the cities. What else can we do? The best we can... The only way we can. And in France, they're trying to ban talk about the Israeli genocide...
1,5 bombs on Iran, but what is the order of destruction of Iranian military and civilians?

[novel66]

[quote][An unguided air-launched munition is transformed into a precision weapon thanks to a laser targeting system./quote]
It is interesting, however, that if it were not for
[quote]added plumage ("rudders"),[/quote]
Then the guidance wouldn't work either.

[topol717]

So, how much can you steer with this tail? Apparently, you can only make minor adjustments, so to speak, so that the wind doesn't blow it away. These rudders aren't good for much more than that.

[novel66]

Do they hit? So it works. Although, of course, it's more accurate to call such bombs guided.

[Cympak]

What a news!
True, the Paveway kit is already 50 years old! It was adopted into service in 1976.
Now, "non-partners" are adding satellite guidance to laser guidance and vice versa, which makes the ammunition even more versatile.

[Cympak]

What we could learn from the Americans is modularity. They created the modular 80-series bombs: Mk80/82/83/84. By combining the nose module (fuze/homing system), the bomb body (high-explosive, penetrating), and the tail (a conventional low-drag module with a braking device for assault bombs, with GPS/INS guidance for JDAMs, and even a solid-fuel booster for the Skipper II), they create a wide range of ASPs, assembled like a construction kit.