Paragon

Description: The Dual Mode Laser Guided Bomb (DMLGB) is an US Navy's program focusing on upgrading existing Paveway II laser guided bombs in the Navy's inventory through replacement of Computer Control Group (CCG) system with an Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS). GPS/INS is an all-weather guidance system that provides dual-mode guidance capability. The addition of a GPS/INS guidance module enables fire-and-forget capability on Paveway II bomb which was originally developed as a semi-active laser-guided weapon.

Under DMLGB program GBU-10, GBU-12 and GBU-16 Paveway II bombs will receive the INS/GPS module. Compared with Paveway II, Paveway II DMLGB will provide minimized collateral damage and greater standoff range while being capable of operating at all-weather conditions. Laser-guided Paveway IIs depend strongly on weather conditions. Bad visibility due to clouds and/or rain, obscurants or any other form of clutter could potentially jam the laser beam which translates into the weapon missing its target.

In November 2005 the US Navy announced Lockheed Martin winner for the DMLGB program. Lockheed Martin was selected to develop, qualify and produce the Paveway II DMLGB kits. This announcement was followed by a 2006 procurement contract worth $65 million and a five-year procurement with a potential value of $266 million. Lockheed Martin retrofit kit was based on Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components. Lockheed Martin re-named Dual Mode Plus Laser Guided Bomb weapon system as the Paragon in March 2017.