Posted on 10/14/2004 3:32:53 PM PDT by dennisw
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
The U.S. military has used Iraq to test a precision bomb designed for targets in urban areas and producing minimal collateral damage.
The U.S. Air Force has conducted the first successful drop of a GBU-38 bomb in combat during a recent mission in Iraq. The bombs were deployed on two F-16 multi-role fighters, which performed a simultaneous GBU-38 release on the same target in central Iraq.
Officials said the 500-pound bombs precisely hit a two-story building occupied by the Tawhid and Jihad group in Faluja with minimal collateral damage. They said this was the first time a GBU-38 was deployed in a demonstration of a smaller munition meant to reduce collateral damage in urban areas, Middle East Newsline reported.
"This was the right weapon for the job," the lead pilot who carried out the mission, identified only as Lt. Col. Mitch, said. "If we used any bigger of a bomb, we would have caused unnecessary damage."
Officials said the GBU-38 provides the U.S. military with a smaller precision weapon for use against urban targets. They said the bomb, which could be deployed on the F-16, would allow for precision strikes at night.
The GBU-38 is composed of an MK-82 with the Joint Direct Attack Munitions guidance system. Officials said the GBU-38 was regarded as much lighter and easier to assemble than most of the other munitions loaded on F-16s. The GBU-38 was said to be significantly smaller and lighter than the GBU-12 and the GBU-31.
"This is a relatively easy bomb to drop," Mitch said. "We simply set the coordinates and deliver the bomb. There's a slight shake in the jet as the bomb is released because [of] the sudden weight reduction, which happens after every drop."
The bomb has been sought by Middle East allies.
Bingo!
Me too.
See post #5...I used to do that.
You got me all excited, I thought we had unveiled the neutron bomb...
OOpps, I mean #3.........
You joined FreeRepublic just to tell us that or do you have some other pessimism you'd like to try and infect us with?
> Did Kerry vote for or against this weapon?
"The GBU-38 is composed of an MK-82 with the
JDAM guidance system."
Sounds like it was done off-budget.
Expect Kerry to complain that he never got a
chance to oppose it.
Yeah, the cellulose cased bombs.
I don't know, while they are testing, they should check it out.
How could he vote on it? He's been out gallivanting around the country because he has this silly notion he has what it takes to be President.
someone set us up the GBU-38
That one I haven't personally touched, but it looks capable of the job....
You got me all excited, I thought we had unveiled the neutron bomb.....
If only. LOL! New technology to liquidate terrorists gets me excited to. Terrorize the terrorists with new hi tech drones, bombs, helicopter fired rockets etc..
His single greatest achievement in the Senate has been his notable absence. To bad Bush didn't say this in the debate.
We can, and we have...with 1,000 lb. JDAMs, Hellfire Missiles, 20mm Gatling Guns mounted on A-10s, 25mm Chain Guns, M1A1 Abrams, USMC LAVs, US Marines with M-4s and M-14s, Iraqi NG troops with AK-47s...shall I go on?
As for too late, well shoot. This weapon was originally scheduled for production in 2005. Sounds to me like it reached IOC ahead of schedule.
All axis forces would have been routed before dinner time. :)
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