// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Glide Bomb
A glide bomb is an aircraft-launched munition equipped with wings or aerodynamic surfaces that allow it to travel a significant distance from its release point to a target without its own propulsion. This design enables the launching aircraft to release the bomb from a safer standoff range.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A glide bomb is an air-launched, unpowered precision-guided munition featuring aerodynamic lift surfaces, such as wings, designed to extend its standoff range and allow for release from a greater distance, thereby enhancing the survivability of the launching aircraft. These weapons often incorporate sophisticated guidance systems for increased accuracy against designated targets.
BACKGROUND
A glide bomb or stand-off bomb is a standoff weapon with flight control surfaces to give it a flatter, gliding flight path than that of a conventional bomb without such surfaces. This allows it to be released at a distance from the target rather than right over it, allowing a successful attack without exposing the launching aircraft to anti-aircraft defenses near the target. Glide bombs can accurately deliver warheads in a manner comparable to cruise missiles at a fraction of the cost—sometimes by installing flight control kits on simple unguided bombs—and they are very difficult for surface-to-air missiles to intercept due to their tiny radar signatures and short flight times. The only effective countermeasure in most cases is to shoot down enemy aircraft before they approach within launching range, making glide bombs very potent weapons where wartime exigencies prevent this.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Stand-off bomb
- Winged bomb
- Guided glide bomb
- Extended-range bomb
- Bomb glider
USAGE NOTE
Glide bombs are primarily used to enable aircraft to engage targets from outside the immediate threat range of short-to-medium-range air defense systems.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Glide Bomb.
Lockheed Martin
A global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company that develops various precision-guided munitions, including stand-off weapons like JASSM, which utilize glide profiles for extended range, and contributes to technologies used in glide bombs.
RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies)
A major defense contractor known for developing advanced guided munitions, including the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), which is a family of precision-guided glide bombs designed for launch from outside the range of enemy air defenses.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Developed the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a guidance kit that converts unguided, free-fall bombs into all-weather, precision-guided glide bombs, enhancing their accuracy and stand-off capabilities.
MBDA
A leading European missile systems company that develops a wide range of advanced guided weapons, including precision-guided munitions with significant glide capabilities such as the SPEAR 3, designed for stand-off attacks.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
An Israeli defense technology company that develops the SPICE family of guidance kits, which transform unguided air-to-surface bombs into precision-guided glide bombs, offering enhanced accuracy and stand-off range through electro-optical and GPS guidance.
Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
A major Russian defense enterprise specializing in the development and production of various guided missiles and airborne weapons, including the KAB-series of precision-guided glide bombs, which are used to attack ground targets from standoff ranges.
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco)
A Chinese state-owned defense corporation that develops and manufactures a wide array of military equipment, including advanced precision-guided munitions and various types of glide bombs such as the GB-series, for air-to-surface applications.