Posted on 06/30/2010 7:50:50 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The US Air Force could soon deploy a 226kg (500lb)-class guided bomb designed with a composite warhead to destroy targets while causing the least amount of collateral damage.
The first 50 Precision Lethality Mk 82 bombs could be delivered by January 2011, with up to 750 carbonfibre-wound warheads designated as BLU-129/B to follow.
The air force has issued a market survey seeking contractors that can deliver the composite warheads rapidly in response to an urgent request by Central Command, the US headquarters in the Middle East and parts of south Asia.
The Air Armament Center could award a contract as soon as August to build 125-175 warheads for a test programme, the survey says.
A "one-time production option" for 400-800 warheads could follow if the test programme is successful.
The air force also is buying a low-collateral damage version of the 130kg Boeing small diameter bomb called the full lethality munition.
Precision Lethality bombs would be nearly twice the size of the full lethality munition, but are still intended to minimise damage beyond a precise strike zone.
The new, composite BLU-129/B warheads would be installed in the Mk 82 bomb, which would be mated to a joint direct attack munition (JDAM) and laser JDAM guidance kits
(Excerpt) Read more at flightglobal.com ...
Imagine guys sitting around, and their life’s passion...is to discuss how they can destroy something to approximately 72 percent. Then they spend days and weeks perfecting the 72 percent ratio and ingredients.
For me, that is a dream job. You getting paid to destroy something.
A kinder, gentler, Mk82.
Not a “Smart Bomb” but a “Nice Bomb”. Sort of fits with these idiots in charge, eh?
BTW, we already have something like this called the Neutron Bomb. I thought Barry was all about saving money? Well, as long as it’s not his own that he’s spending.
I agree. The Neutron Bomb is probably on of the great milestones in nuclear tactical weaponary.
I imagine the Chinese are happy with the plans they got from us during the clinton administration.
How did they perfect the guidance system to zero in on Korans, bomb vests and darling pet goats?
These class of bombs date back to the 1950s.
"This vehicle not responsible for objects coming from road"
Remember the good old days when to take out a factory the US would level several square blocks? It seems to me that collateral damage goes a long way towards winning a war. War is not about winning hearts and minds, it is about breaking them.
It will be delivered by the B-2 Spirit.
We'll call the whole system ...
Spirit in the Sky - Norman's green bomb
I agree you with you 100 percent. I am a huge proponent of the “scorched earth” policy. I believe that round the clock bombing breaks the enemy’s will and the civilian’s to fight.War had become too sanitized.
“low-collateral damage Mk 82 bomb”
Sounds to me like the Air Force is angling for some “courageous restraint” medals for pilots.
I wonder if you can be awarded a medal for “courageous restraint” for not dropping a low-collateral damage bomb?
Excellent tagline material, and post of the day.
I see. Do you have the link where it says that?
“Spirit in the Sky - Norman’s green bomb”
If the reader “gets” this joke, they probably need a hearing aid to hear the song :)
Unfortunately, I get it :)
No. It was quite the topic of discussion (and speculation) here on FR when hard drives went missing at Los Alamos.
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