Special
Operations.Com
"Bunker
Busting"
The
ability of special operations forces to act as "eyes
on" a specific target, coupled with a portable
laser target designator, enables the precision delivery
of hard target penetrators that can kill previously
impervious underground facilities. The GBU-28 is the
famed bunker buster used in Desert Storm. It was developed
in minimal time under USAF's rapid response program.
It is primarily used as a deep penetration weapon
against buried and hardened command and control facilities.
The bomb is essentially an Army 8 inch howitzer modified
with a GBU-27 guidance kit to produce a 4,700 pound
laser guided bunker busting bomb. Lockheed Missile
and Space System was the contractor on the project.
At least two GBU-28s were dropped in Desert Storm
by F-111s but has been flight tested for use on the
F-15E too. Advanced versions to improve operational
capability and flexibility are being studied.
The
above pictures were taken during recent tests of the
next generation of new hard target warheads and fuses
at Elgin AFB. Note how the warhead waits until it
passes through the final level of concrete before
detonating. "Knock, knock..."
Hot
Link
Bunker
Busting with the B-2 Stealth Bomber
Special
Operations.Com Feature
"New
bomb, no mission"
- Article on bunker busters with nuclear warheads
Desert
Storm Air-Delivered Munitions Totals
- These figures reflect all air-delivered munitions
expended by tactical elements of the USAF, USN, and
USMC during the 1991Gulf War, excluding cannon rounds
that may have been fired.
VIDEO!
The new bunker busting bombs - CNN 60K/26
sec./160x120 or 2.2MB/26
sec./320x240
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