US approves large guided bomb sale to Israel

[BLACKEAGLE]

Jeremy Binnie, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
20 May 2015

Israel has requested additional warheads for GBU-28 'bunker buster' bombs, seen here being dropped by a US Air Force F-15E, but apparently not the associated guidance kits. Source: USAF

The US State Department has approved the sale to Israel of over 20,000 guided bomb kits and 8,650 associated warheads, including additional 5,000 lb 'bunker busters', the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 19 May.

The DSCA notification said the estimated cost of the proposed sales, which also includes 250 AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and 3,000 AGM-114K/R Hellfire missiles, was USD1.9 billion.

The notification listed 10,000 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) GPS guidance kits for 2,000 lb (907 kg) MK 84 general purpose bombs, 500 JDAM kits for 1,000 lb MK 83 bombs, and 4,000 JDAM kits for 500 lb MK 82 bombs.

Israel has also requested 500 DSU-38A/B kits that can be used to upgrade JDAMs so they can be guided to their target using a laser designator as well as GPS, making them more flexible and accurate weapons that can be used against moving targets if needed.

The notification listed 1,500 Paveway laser guidance kits for MK 83s and another 500 for 2,000 lb BLU-109 penetrator warheads, which are used against bunkers.

In terms of warheads, the notification said Israel had requested 4,500 MK 83s and 3,500 MK 82s, but no additional MK 84s or BLU-109s.

Most notably, Israel has requested 50 BLU-113 warheads. The BLU-113 is a 5,000 lb penetrator used with the GBU-28 laser-guided bomb that is designed to destroy deeply buried and heavily fortified targets.

Previous DSCA notifications suggest Israel already has up to 150 GBU-28s, which would be key weapons if it attempted to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities. However, the latest notification did not list the associated Paveway guidance kit that would be needed to use the additional 50 warheads effectively or mention the GBU-28 by name.

The final item covered by the request was 4,100 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), which is a 250 lb-class GPS-guided weapon with flip-out wings to increase its range. The small size of the bomb reduces the risk of collateral damage and allows more to be carried by an aircraft. It also has better penetration capabilities than general purpose bombs.

US approves large guided bomb sale to Israel - IHS Jane's 360

 

[Scorpion]

Israel will take those missiles to the lab whether the guidance kit was sold or not and the come with more enhanced version.

 

[Redheart]

I don't think they have to tell the media everything. Iran knows why Israel wants those bombs and the U.S to reassure Iran that they are safe, tells the media that they aren't selling Israel the guidance kits. How would anyone prove that Israel hasn't got the guidance kits? And if they don't get them guidance kits, as @Scorpion points out making theirs wouldn't be too hard.

I think Israel means business. They won't let Iran get nuclear weapons.

 

[pcgamer]

Israel will take those missiles to the lab whether the guidance kit was sold or not and the come with more enhanced version.

Hilarious, but somewhat true. US will not do a thing about it. They will sell some more weapons and bombs to Israel.

 

[Bubblegum Crisis]

They (Israel) want to be sure and free to reach their targets without any technical interferences - With their own targeting satellites - or obstruction/veto by the United States. This is called ‘geostrategic independence’.




Quote 1 :

Israeli air force receives first Lizard guided bombs

By: ARIE EGOZI
14:55, 28 Sep 2007

The Israeli air force has begun taking delivery of its first Lizard-series laser-guided bomb kits from Elbit Systems, after selecting the design to equip its frontline fighter squadrons operating the Boeing F-15I and Lockheed Martin F-16.

Suitable for integration with several warhead sizes, the current Lizard laser designator is available in three operating modes, respectively for against stationary or slow-moving ground targets faster moving targets or for pinpoint strikes using a combination of GPS guidance and terminal laser inputs. The variant selected by Israel does not feature the dual-mode GPS capability, says Elbit.

"The decision to equip the Israeli air force with Lizard represents an important breakthrough for Elbit Systems as a major supplier of laser-guided systems," says Yoram Shmueli, joint general manager of the company's airborne division. Elbit has previously secured contracts to supply Lizard laser-guided bomb kits to several export customers, including NATO member Italy.

Flightglobal.com


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Quote 2 :

Lizard

9 December 2006

The Whizzard is a family of modular guidance kits that convert dumb/general purpose bombs into precision guided weapons. Whizzard is available using three guidance modes: laser seeker (LIZARD), Infrared seeker (OPHER) and laser/Global Positioning System (GPS) aided seeker (GAL). The Whizzard family bombs can take out a wide range of targets such as armored vehicles, ships, power plants, infrastructures and radars.

The Whizzard bombs are fully compatible with NATO standard equipment and NATO laser designation codes, provide enhanced hit accuracy, and are suitable for day and night operations. The Israel Air Force is the larger operator of this kind of smart bombs and the entire family of munitions was developed to meet its requirements. Nevertheless, the weapon has been exported to foreign countries such as Italy.

The Lizard relies on a semi active laser guidance kit to hit its assigned target with outstanding precision. Its high kill probability ensures the minimum number of weapons delivered in order to take out the target.

The guidance kit has been designed to operate withstanding jamming. Switching from the laser to the Infrared (IIR) seeker a Lizard bomb can be turned into Opher.

The Lizard laser-guided bomb has been sold to the Italian Air Force for use on its AMX training/light attack aircraft.

Deagel

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Elbit Systems (Link) is offering a range of guided weapons, from the STAR kit for 80mm laser guided rockets to the Lizard laser/GPS guidance kit for aerial bombs. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update








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