GBU-8 HOBOS was an American guided air bomb of the Cold War period. Its first prototypes were built in the mid-1960s, and it was commissioned by the US Air Force in 1969. It was capable of carrying explosives weighing up to 430 kg with a total curb weight of 1,050 kg. Rockwell International was responsible for its production.
The GBU-8 was developed from the traditional Mk. 84 with a weight of 909 kilograms. The modernization of the Mk.84 bomb consisted in adding a special TV guidance system (KMU-353 / B) and ailerons to correct the fall of the bomb. Several models of this bomb were created in the course of serial production. One of the most important modernizations took place in the late 1970s, when a thermal imaging head identical to that used in the AGM-65D Maverick missile was introduced. The GBU-8 bomb was used in combat at the end of the Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975). It was withdrawn from service in the late 1980s in favor of the GBU-15 bomb.
GBU-10 Paveway is a modern American laser guided aerial bomb. Its first prototypes appeared in the first half of the 1970s, and it was used by the US armed forces in 1976 and remains there to this day. GBU-10 Paveway is capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 428 kg with a total curb weight of 1,162 kg.
The GBU-10 Paveway was developed and manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, based on the traditional Mk. 84. Modernization of the Mk. 84 consisted in adding a special head guiding the laser beam and ailerons correcting the fall of the bomb. GBU-10 requires highlighting with a laser target pointer. Two generations of these bombs appeared in the course of production. He represents the first GBU-10A / B Paveway I , the second is the GBU-10E / B and F / B Paveway II. The difference - apart from the design of the fins - is primarily that the Paveway II has a homing head that is cheaper to produce and more sensitive, which increases its accuracy and effectiveness. The main carriers of these bombs are the F-111 and F-15 E Strike Eagle planes. In addition, it can be carried by, among others: F-16 Fighting Falcon or F / A-18 Hornet. In the course of Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991 bombs GBU-10 Paveway showed 76% effectiveness in hitting targets.
GBU-12 Paveway is a modern American laser guided aerial bomb. Its first prototypes appeared in the first half of the 1970s, and it was used by the US armed forces in 1976 and remains there to this day. GBU-12 is capable of carrying explosives (Tritonal and PBNX) weighing up to 87 kg with a total empty weight of 230 kg.
The GBU-12 Paveway was developed and manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, based on the traditional Mk. 82 with a weight of 227 kilograms. Modernization of the Mk. 82 consisted in adding a special head guiding the laser beam and ailerons correcting the fall of the bomb. The first element was originally developed by Texas Instruments, which later became part of Raytheon. GBU-12 requires highlighting with a laser target pointer. Two generations of these bombs appeared in the course of production. He represents the first GBU-12 Paveway I , the second is the GBU-12 Paveway II. The difference - apart from the design of the fins - is primarily that the Paveway II has a homing head that is cheaper to produce and more sensitive, which increases its accuracy and effectiveness. The main carrier of these bombs is the F-111 plane. In addition, it can be carried by, among others: F-15 Strike Eagle, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon or F / A-18 Hornet. In the course of Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991 bombs GBU-12 Paveway showed 88% effectiveness in hitting targets.