megazone@wpi.WPI.EDU (MEGAZONE 23) (02/09/91)
From: megazone@wpi.WPI.EDU (MEGAZONE 23) Information: GBU-15, Cruciform-Wing Weapon (CWW) >From The Encyclopedia of World Air Power, Cresent Books, 1980. Type: unpowered glide bomb Powerplant: none Performance: cruising speed subsonic, maximum range varies with launch height, but up to about 5 miles (8km) for CWW Weight: 2,240lb (1016kg) with Mk 84 warhead Dimensions: varies according to type: typical span 3ft 8in (1.12m); length 12ft 4in (3.75m); diameter 1ft 6in (46cm) Warhead: interchangable, including 2,000-lb (907-kg) Mk 84 bomb Operator: US Air Force "The GBU-15 MGGB (Modular Guided Glide Bomb) is a family of weapons which can be built up from various combinations of payload (warhead), guidance, control systems and wing structures. The family forms part of the US Air Force's Pave Strike defence-suppression programme, which is intended to retain the basic features of the earlier Rockwell Hobos (Homing Bomb System) weapons deployed in Vietnam from 1969 while improving delivery range and conferring the ability to operate in all weathers. Initial production of the basic version, known as the CWW (cruciform-wing weapon), was authorized in the autumn of 1978. This is built round a standard Mk 84 2,000-lb (907-kg) bomb, with cruciform wings fitted fore-and-aft for stability and control. A television seeker is normally fitted, although this can be replaced by either the imaging infra-red seeker used in the AGM-65D version of the Maverick or the semi-active laser seeker planned for the AGM-65C Maverick and Hellfire. Similarly, the Mk 84 bomb can be replaced by other payloads such as the SUU-54 submunitions dispenser. Trials of the GBU-15 CWW have taken place at heights between 200 and 1,000ft (60 and 300m), and the bomb will be used for low-level attacks against ships and ground targets. Total procurement is expected to run to 5,000 rounds, including the PWW (Planar-wing weapon) version being developed by Hughes but not likely to be ordered into production before the autumn of 1979. The PWW has flip-out wings to increase its glide range, allowing it to be launched against high-value targets from B-52 bombers or fighters at comparitively long distances. GBU-15 can be launched before its seeker locks on to the target, if desired, being guided by command until the homing head can acquire its objective. The operator may be in the carrier aircraft or in another, giving flexibility in the type of attack." >From The US War Machine, Salamander Books, 1983. Origin: Rockwell International, USA Type: Guided bomb system Propulsion: None Dimensions: Length 154in (3.91m); body diameter 18in (457mm); span 59in (1,499mm) Launch weight: 2,450lb (1,111kg) Range: Variable with launch height and speed, but typically 5 miles (8km) Flight speed: Subsonic "The CWW (cruciform-wing weapon) is the modern succesor to the Vietnam-era Pave Strike Hobos (homing-bomb system), of which GBU-8 (guided bomb unit) was the chief production example. Like GBU-8, GBU-15 is a modular system comprising standard GP (general purpose) bombs to which a target-detecting device and trajectory-control fins are added. The full designation of the basic production missile is GBU-15(V)/B, and it is also called a modular guided glide bomb (MGGB) or modular guided weapon system. Though the payload and structural basis may be the CBU-75 cluster munition, the normal basis is the Mk 84 2,000lb (907kg) bomb. To the front are added an FMU-124 fuze, a tubular adapter and either of two target detecting devices, TV or IIR (imaging infra-red). At the rear are added an autopilot, displacement gyro, primary battery, control module and data-link module, and the weapon is completed by attaching four canard fins and four large rear wings with powered control surfaces on their trailing edges. (An alternative PWW, planar-wing weapon, by Hughes, is no longer active). GBU-15 is launched at medium to extremely low altitudes. In the former case it is guided over a direct line of sight to the target. In the latter it is launched in the direction of the target, while the carrier aircraft gets away at very low level. It is steered by a data-link by the operator in the aircraft, who has a display showing the scene in the seeker in the nose of the missile (TV is the usual method). The missile climbs until it can acquire the target, and then pushes over into a dive. The operator has the choice of steering the missile all the way to the target or locking-on the homing head. Extensive trials from F-4, F-111 and B-52 aircraft are complete and substantial deliveries had been made by early 1983." ############################################################################### # "Calling Garland operator 7G," EVE Email megazone@wpi.wpi.edu # # MEGAZONE, aka DAYTONA, aka BRIAN BIKOWICZ Bitnet Use a gateway. Sorry. # ###############################################################################