GBU-15/B EOGB II
Electro-optically guided 2000 lb. The combat portion consists of a general-purpose Mk.84 or a BLU-109/B penetrating bomb, depending on the type of target.
In English sources you may encounter the designation CWW (Cruciform Wing Weapon). EOGB II (Electro-Optical Guided Bomb). It was developed under the Pave Strike program, as a replacement for the older generation HOBOS guided bombs. The cross-bearing surfaces -hence its English designation- allow it to glide to a distant target even when dropped at low altitude. When dropped at low altitudes (80 - 200 metres), for which it is mainly intended, it is supposed to cover several kilometres. Which may seem like a lot. But let's remember that a bomb has the same speed as its carrier - an airplane. 800-900 km/h - the speed of a bullet from a revolver - is not a problem. A cougar can be pitched, lobbed. The so-called pull-up manoeuvre, dropping it during a climb. The pilot starts to climb, pulls with 3-4 G overload (maximum 45 degrees of climb) and releases the bomb during this maneuver. I don't think the term "slinging" would be entirely incorrect in this context.
During high altitude drop tests, GBU- 15s hit targets nearly 40 kilometers away. The advantages of this concept or strategy are clear - why produce over a heavily defended target when a bomb can do it for you. By avoiding flying over the target area, the pilot can drop a bomb on a target still out of range of his air defenses.
The bomb can be used in two ways. In the direct method, the pilot or operator (RIO, WIZZO, guy in the back, ballast,…for double-seat machines) captures the target with a TV camera located in the bomb's nose, which transmits the image to a screen in the cockpit. By manoeuvring the aircraft or rotating the cougar's camera, it tries to get the intentional mark on the screen onto the target. When he's roughly successful, he marks the target. Click. The camera stabilizes on the marked area, and is capable of 8x zoom, which allows for precise targeting (whether he visits Saddam through the door or that open window on the first floor). Target locks on, done. Once dropped, the bomb is autonomously guided.
In the second, so-called indirect attack method, the pilot drops the bomb out of visual contact with the target. Thus, 100% stand off, a method for weaker natures J. The target is captured by the camera in the bomb's head only during the gliding flight. The image is again transmitted to the screen in the aircraft, then the procedure is the same as for the first attack method. In both cases, the pilot can initiate defensive maneuvers immediately after dropping - 180 degree turn, dive, …quickly away to safety while the bomb flies towards the target. The operator (pilot, ….) can, if necessary, control the cougar manually throughout its flight. From drop to impact. The precision of the bombs is great. American pilots have used them to blow up burning oil wells in the Persian Gulf. There is also a version of the GBU-15 2/B in which the TV camera is replaced by an infrared module taken after minor modifications from the AGM-65D Maverick.
Total weight 1187 kg.
Price per unit: $130,000.
Electro-optically guided 2000 lb. The combat portion consists of a general-purpose Mk.84 or a BLU-109/B penetrating bomb, depending on the type of target.
In English sources you may encounter the designation CWW (Cruciform Wing Weapon). EOGB II (Electro-Optical Guided Bomb). It was developed under the Pave Strike program, as a replacement for the older generation HOBOS guided bombs. The cross-bearing surfaces -hence its English designation- allow it to glide to a distant target even when dropped at low altitude. When dropped at low altitudes (80 - 200 metres), for which it is mainly intended, it is supposed to cover several kilometres. Which may seem like a lot. But let's remember that a bomb has the same speed as its carrier - an airplane. 800-900 km/h - the speed of a bullet from a revolver - is not a problem. A cougar can be pitched, lobbed. The so-called pull-up manoeuvre, dropping it during a climb. The pilot starts to climb, pulls with 3-4 G overload (maximum 45 degrees of climb) and releases the bomb during this maneuver. I don't think the term "slinging" would be entirely incorrect in this context.
During high altitude drop tests, GBU- 15s hit targets nearly 40 kilometers away. The advantages of this concept or strategy are clear - why produce over a heavily defended target when a bomb can do it for you. By avoiding flying over the target area, the pilot can drop a bomb on a target still out of range of his air defenses.
The bomb can be used in two ways. In the direct method, the pilot or operator (RIO, WIZZO, guy in the back, ballast,…for double-seat machines) captures the target with a TV camera located in the bomb's nose, which transmits the image to a screen in the cockpit. By manoeuvring the aircraft or rotating the cougar's camera, it tries to get the intentional mark on the screen onto the target. When he's roughly successful, he marks the target. Click. The camera stabilizes on the marked area, and is capable of 8x zoom, which allows for precise targeting (whether he visits Saddam through the door or that open window on the first floor). Target locks on, done. Once dropped, the bomb is autonomously guided.
In the second, so-called indirect attack method, the pilot drops the bomb out of visual contact with the target. Thus, 100% stand off, a method for weaker natures J. The target is captured by the camera in the bomb's head only during the gliding flight. The image is again transmitted to the screen in the aircraft, then the procedure is the same as for the first attack method. In both cases, the pilot can initiate defensive maneuvers immediately after dropping - 180 degree turn, dive, …quickly away to safety while the bomb flies towards the target. The operator (pilot, ….) can, if necessary, control the cougar manually throughout its flight. From drop to impact. The precision of the bombs is great. American pilots have used them to blow up burning oil wells in the Persian Gulf. There is also a version of the GBU-15 2/B in which the TV camera is replaced by an infrared module taken after minor modifications from the AGM-65D Maverick.
Total weight 1187 kg.
Price per unit: $130,000.
