GRAVITY BOMB

NEWS: U.S. Defense Secretary announced a tactical shift to using 500, 1,000, and 2,000-pound precision gravity bombs against Iran

ABOUT

• Unpowered munition that does not possess an internal propulsion system or engine.
• A gravity bomb relies entirely on the laws of physics and the momentum of the aircraft to reach its target.

Composition:

Three main components:

• The Warhead (Body): A streamlined steel casing filled with high explosives (such as Tritonal or Composition H6).
• The Fuseà A device (mechanical or electronic) located in the nose or tail that triggers the explosion upon impact or at a specific altitude.
• The Guidance Kit (JDAM)à A modern add-on tail section that includes GPS receivers and steerable tail fins to turn a dumb bomb into a smart precision weapon.

Key Features:

• Significantly cheaper than missiles.
• A gravity bomb with a JDAM kit costs roughly $25,000 to $30,000, compared to millions for a Tomahawk missile.
• Versatility:
  • 500-lb (Mk 82): For soft targets like radar or light vehicles.
  • 1,000-lb (Mk 83): For reinforced structures and bridges.
  • 2,000-lb (Mk 84): Bunker-busters for deeply buried military complexes.
• Can be deployed by a wide range of aircraftà from tactical stealth fighters (F-35) to heavy strategic bombers (B-52).