Air Force shows newest bunker-busting bomb to enable fighters and bombers to attack deeply buried targets
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The U.S. Air Force has demonstrated the GBU-72/B 5,000-pound-class bunker-busting bomb, dropped from an F-15E Strike Eagle jet fighter-bomber over a test range near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Drive reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
The GBU-72 was developed to overcome hardened deeply buried targets and is designed for fighter and bomber aircraft. It uses GPS/INS guidance to enable its use in any weather, and enable the launch aircraft to stay relatively far away from the target.
The bunker-busting bomb also could be used against tunnel networks and above-ground buildings, and offer a way limit collateral damage to adjacent structures and their occupants.
Testing this weapon was done under the Advanced 5,000 Pound Warhead program (A5K). Air Force officials say they will perform more test flights into 2022. The announcement last week shows that the service has already taken important steps forward toward fielding its newest bunker-buster bomb.
Related: Soon after Iran deal, Air Force looks for new ways to find and attack deeply buried targets
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
