Lockheed-Martin Demonstrates DMGB Bomb

Released on Thursday, May 05, 2005

Lockheed Martin successfully tested Dual Mode Guided Bombs (DMGB) at the US Navy's China Lake test range. The weapons were released from Navy aircraft and maneuvered through controlled flight and target impact as planned, achieving mission success.

The new Lockheed Martin DMGB gives warfighters the versatility of selecting the ideal guidance mode for specific targets without multiple weapons in inventory. This capability was previously only available on very expensive precision guided weapons.

Lockheed Martin's DMGB has three primary operating modes providing the warfighter great versatility in mission planning without changing weapons. In addition to dual-mode guidance, the DMGB can be used with laser or Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) guidance only, providing capabilities duplicating either the existing Paveway II laser-guided bombs or GPS/INS guided weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).

Laser-guided operation requires the weapon to have line of sight to the target until the target is impacted. During non-visual operation, using solely GPS/INS guidance, the pilot releases the weapon within the launch acceptable region and the DMGB guides itself to the target independently in a launch-and-leave mode. This mode is highly accurate enabling precision guidance during adverse weather, clouds, fog and smoke.

Lockheed Martin continues to work closely with the US Navy and US Air Force on the development of the DMGB. The DMGB program provides low-cost guidance kits for MK 82, 83 and 84 general-purpose warheads. DMGB enables employment of accurate air-to-surface munitions from fighter and bomber aircraft against high-priority fixed, slow moving and relocatable targets. DMGB has the same basic physical size and shape of the Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) family. It is compatible with all aircraft that currently support the GBU-12, 16 and 10 and JDAM. DMGB provides a GPS/INS guided, highly accurate, all-weather precision guided weapon with laser terminal guidance to meet needs identified during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.