| GBU-12 Paveway II | |
|---|---|
 GBU-12 Paveway II | |
| Type | Unpowered laser guided bomb[1] |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1976 - Present |
| Wars | Persian Gulf War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Unit cost | US $21,896[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 230 kg (510 lb) |
| Length | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) |
| Diameter | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Effective firing range | 14.8 km (9.2 mi) |
TheGBU-12 Paveway II is an American aeriallaser-guided bomb, based on theMk 82 500 lb (230 kg)[3]general-purpose bomb, but with the addition of a nose-mounted laser seeker and fins for guidance. A member of thePaveway series of weapons, Paveway II entered into service c.1976. It is currently in service with theU.S. Air Force,U.S. Navy,U.S. Marine Corps, and various otherair forces.
The development of the GBU-12 traces back to theVietnam War. The U.S. Air Force wanted a greater variety oflaser-guided bombs, especially a lighter and more maneuverable one to be able to hit moving targets on theHo Chi Minh trail.[4] Earlier designs of guided bombs such as theBOLT-117 were quickly superseded by the Paveway series of add-on kits for conventional bombs.
GBU-12 bombs entered service in 1976[3] and are produced (along with the balance of the Paveway series) bydefense contractorsLockheed Martin andRaytheon. Raytheon began production after purchasing the product line fromTexas Instruments. Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to compete with Raytheon when there was a break in production caused by transferring manufacturing out ofTexas. "Paveway II" refers specifically to the guidance kit, rather than to the weapon itself.
In 2017, Lockheed Martin secured a $22m contract from the US Air Force to deliver tail kits and laser guidance kits for the GBU-12 configured LGBs, in December 2017. Deliveries are expected to commence in the final quarter of 2019.[5]
The GBU-12 has been used in numerous conflicts such as theGulf War;F-111s destroyed 920 Iraqi tanks and APCs with GBU-12s. It is among the most commonly used guided munitions, and as such is able to be dropped from a very wide variety of aircraft, such as theF-111,B-52,A-10,F-15E,F/A-18,B-1B,F-16C/D, andF-35 (GBU-49).[3][6]
TheUS Department of Defense has upgraded GBU-12 production versions to includeGPS guidance modes.[7] Lockheed Martin is the sole source for US Navy purchases of this version. Raytheon sells upgraded GBU-12s to the US Government and 23 other nations.[7]Laser-guided bombs are often labeled "smart bombs" because they are able to follow a non-ballistic trajectory whenlaser designation of the intended target is undertaken. According to Raytheon's fact sheet for the Paveway II, 99 deliveries ofguided munitions will yield acircular error probable (CEP) of only 3.6 feet (1.1 m), versus a CEP of 310 feet (94 m) for 99unguided bombs dropped under similar conditions.
Paveway II laser-guided bombs use what is known as "bang bang" guidance. This means the bomb'sfins deflect fully, rather than proportionally when it is attempting to guide to the laser spot. For example, if it sees the laser spot and determines that it should make a change it deflects its fins until it has over-corrected and then it deflects back the opposite direction, creating asinusoidal type of flight path. This type of guidance may be less efficient at times, however is more cost-effective and allows the use of simpler electronics in the guidance system.
