EGBU-15
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The GBU-15 bomb is an unpowered, glide weapon used to destroy high value enemy targets. It is designed to be used with F-15E and F-111F aircraft. While laser guided munitions can be pointed at a laser dot and directed through a doorway, the GBU-15 can be guided real-time by the ‘Wizzo’ to land precisely on the door’s knob. In other words, the miss distance is not measureable when the weapon system officer is in the loop.
The GBU-15 provides the capability for accurate guided delivery of a MK-84 bomb at increased ranges. The GBU-15's effective standoff range is greater than that of laser-guided munitions, since the GBU-15 does not need to have acquired the target before it is released. The weapon is remotely controlled by a datalink system, and the weapon systems operator locates the target area and the specific aimpoint by observing the video transmitted from the weapon. The weapon's midcourse flight path can be adjusted either automatically or manually. Weapon video is either electro-optical (TV camera) or infrared, and generated in the nose of the weapon.
Tactics
The GBU-15 may be used in direct or indirect attack. In a direct attack, the pilot selects a target before launch, locks the weapon guidance system onto it and launches the weapon. The weapon automatically guides itself to the target, enabling the pilot to leave the area. In an indirect attack, the weapon is guided by remote control after launch. The pilot releases the weapon and, via remote control, searches for the target. Once the target is acquired, the weapon can be locked to the target or manually guided via the date-link system. This highly maneuverable weapon has a low-to-medium altitude delivery capability with high accuracy. It also has a standoff capability.
History
During Desert Storm, all 71 GBU-15 modular glide bombs used were dropped from F-111F aircraft. Most notably, GBU-15s were the munitions used for destroying the oil manifolds on the storage tanks to stop oil from spilling into the Gulf. These GBU-15s sealed flaming oil pipeline manifolds sabotaged by Saddam Hussein's troops.
Development
The Air Force Development Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., began developing the GBU-15 in 1974. It was a product improvement of the early guided bombs used during the Southeast Asia conflict. Flight testing of the weapon began in 1975. The GBU-15 with television guidance, completed full-scale operational test and evaluation in November 1983. In February 1985, initial operational test and evaluation was completed on the imaging infrared guidance seeker.
References
- http://www.deagel.com/pandora/egbu-15v2b_mn00098004.aspx
- http://www.global-defence.com/2001/MSpart5a.html
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| EGBU-15 | |
|---|---|
| Primary Function: | 2,000 pound (907 kg) unpowered, all weather GPS/INS, television or infrared guided weapon |
| Length: | 12 ft 10 in (3.9 m) |
| Diameter: | 18 in (457 mm) |
| Wingspan: | 4 ft 11 in (1.5 m) |
| Range: | 5 to 15 nautical miles (9 to 28 km) |
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