GBU-15
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Air-to-surface guided glide bomb
Date
deployed: 1983
Contractor:
Boeing
Unit cost:
TV: $242,500; IIR: $245,000
Length:
12' - 11"
Wingspan:
4' - 11"
Diameter:
1' - 6"
Speed:
unavailable
Weight at
launch: 2,500 lbs
Guidance:
Television or imaging infrared seeker via data link
Range:
approx. 5 - 15 nm
Engine:
none
Warhead:
MK-84 general purpose or BLU-109 penetrating bombs |
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Mission:
The Guided Bomb Unit or GBU-15 is an unpowered,
glide weapon used to destroy high value enemy
targets. It was designed for use with F-15E, F-111F
and F-4 aircraft, but the U.S. Air Force is
currently only deploying it from the F-15E.
Features: The weapon consists of
modular components that are attached to either a
MK-84 general purpose or BLU-109 penetrating
warhead. Each weapon has five components -- a
forward guidance section, warhead adapter section,
control module, airfoil components, and a weapon
data link.
The guidance section is attached to the nose
of the weapon and contains either a television
guidance system for daytime or an imaging infrared
system for night or limited, adverse weather
operations. A data link in the tail section sends
guidance updates to the control aircraft that
enables the weapon systems operator to guide the
bomb by remote control to its target.
An external electrical conduit extends the
length of the warhead which attaches the guidance
adapter and control unit. The conduit carries
electrical signals between the guidance and control
sections. The umbilical receptacle passes guidance
and control data between cockpit control systems of
the launching aircraft and the weapon prior to
launch.
The rear control section consists of four
wings that are in an "X"-like arrangement
with trailing edge flap control surfaces for flight
maneuvering. The control module contains the
autopilot, which collects steering data from the
guidance section and converts the information into
signals that move the wing control surfaces to
change the weapon's flight path.
The GBU-15 may be used in either a direct or
an 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 data-link system.
This highly maneuverable weapon has an
optimal, low-to-medium altitude delivery capability
with pinpoint accuracy. It also has a standoff
capability. In Desert Storm, F-111F pilots used
GBU-15 glide bombs to seal flaming oil pipeline
manifolds sabotaged by Saddam Hussein's troops.
Background: 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.
In December 1987, the program management
responsibility for the GBU-15 weapon system
transferred from the Air Force Systems Command to
the Air Force Logistics Command. The commands merged
to become the Air Force Materiel Command in 1992.
During the integrated weapons system
management process, AGM-130 and GBU-15 were
determined to be a family of weapons because of the
commonality of the two systems. The Precision Strike
Program Office at Eglin AFB became the single
manager for the GBU-15, with the Air Logistics
Center at Hill AFB, Utah providing sustainment
support.
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