Re: B-3 and Beyond


Message posted by Magoo on May 16, 2001 at 21:51:06 PST:

Most 'smart bombs' are guided by either infra red/laser (i.e., a red dot on the target that the bomb seeker targets), or by GPS. There are smaller helicopter launched anti-tank weapons that are guided by a wire that leads back to the helo (e.g. TOW), but these have range of only about 2 kms.

The beauty of laser and GPS kits is that they can be used on conventional 'dumb' munitions, simply by screwing on a smart nose and a tail wing kit. The US and allies have millions of old dumb bombs that can be retrofitted with these kits at only a few thousand dollars per round, and bingo, instant smart munition at about 1/5 of one percent the cost of a million dollar+ TLAM or Harpoon!!

The newer SSB (Small Smart Bomb) will be even better. It only weighs 250lbs, yet it can be dropped up to 10km uprange at supersonic speed, fly a ballistic GPS guided trajectory, and pierce several metres of reinforced concrete (e.g bunker, aircraft shelter) and destroy everything inside. The SSB is being developed here in Australia, as our F-111 has the only supersonic capable bomb bay in service anywhere in the world at present. SSB will eventually see service on the F-22 and JSF and future small stealthy platforms with internal weapons carriage.

The longer ranging cruise missiles and powered guided weapons use varying methods. There is GPS (TLAM), GPS/INS combinations (JSOW, AGM-129), TV (GBU-15, AGM-142 - where a datalink goes back to the launch aircraft and the WSO literally guides it via a TV picture).

Yes, the GH does follow a pre-programmed path, however it can be retasked at the stroke of a computer key. Before it landed in Australia, it was commanded to orbit at a point some miles north of the base it was heading to to avoid conflict with civilian traffic. In the future, I envisage it being able to transmit SAR pics back to the operators in real-time, and be then commanded to loiter above or near a target of interest to gather more information. There is no reason why an unmanned bomber be launched with a pre-programmed route over or near known targets, but then be re-tasked as more up-to-date intelligence becomes available. I'm sure secure coms are an issue, but with the right coding or frequency shifting, it may still be possible!

Magoo


In Reply to: Re: B-3 and Beyond posted by gary on May 16, 2001 at 21:01:02 PST:

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