Laser-guided bomb makes first strike in Iraq

[unhappycamper]

Laser-guided bomb makes first strike in Iraq
Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Aug 27, 2008 13:57:49 EDT

The laser-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition made its combat debut in Iraq earlier this month, the Air Force announced Wednesday.

The 500-pound bomb, also known as the GBU-54, joined the war when an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Balad, used it to strike a moving enemy vehicle in Diyala province. The pilot was working with a joint terminal attack controller on the ground.

“The first combat employment of this weapon is the validation of the exacting hard work of an entire team of professionals who developed, tested and fielded this weapon on an extremely short timeline,” said Lt. Gen. Gary North, who oversees air operations over Iraq.

A standard satellite-guided JDAM can hit fixed targets but not moving targets. The addition of a laser seeker means the bomb can be steered toward a moving target.

Identified as an urgent operational need in early 2007, the GBU-54’s development and testing was completed in less than 17 months.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/08/airforce_laser_jdam_iraq_082708w/%2e

[thunder rising]

1. "moving enemy vehicle": AKA school bus

[Benhurst]

2. How marvelous. Now we are using Iraq to test new weapons, just as Hitler used Spain.