General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems has unveiled a lightweight guided bomb that the company says may provide unmanned air vehicles with a low-cost alternative to using modified air-to-surface missiles during strike missions.
Development work on the Small Guided Bomb 003 started two years ago using company funding. The weapon uses a GPS/inertial guidance system to provide initial target area localisation and a semi-active laser seeker in the terminal phase.
The weapon was displayed at the Unmanned Systems North America exhibition beneath an Aeronautics Defense Systems Aerostar tactical UAV.
The bomb is 766mm (30in) long, 127mm in diameter and has an all-up weight of 13.6kg (30lb). General Dynamics says that, if dropped from an altitude of 10,000ft (3,000m), the bomb would reach a speed of up to Mach 0.85 and have a range of 8km (4.3nm) with a flight time of less than 2min.
Initial flight testing took place in late 2004 and in April and May this year. General Dynamics says the trials demonstrated initial capability and assessed weapon aerodynamic qualities, but excluded testing of the terminal seeker.
A further round of basic trials is planned for the third quarter of this year, with first semi-active seeker trials to take place by late December.
- Aeronautics’ Aerostar tactical UAV will be made available to support surveillance missions along the US-Mexican border under an agreement with General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems. The system will operate from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Source: Flight International
