U.S. to Offer Smart-Bomb Kits, Drones to Pakistan

[Arsalan]

Wednesday 3rd March, 2010

US to give Pak 1000 laser-guided bomb kits to tackle terror
In order to help the Pakistani security forces take on the extremists hiding along the Afghanistan border more effectively, the US Air Force (USAF) is planning to give 1,000 laser-guided bomb kits to that country.

Top US defence official, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffry Glenn told the media here that the USAF has already provided 1000 MK-82 bombs to Pakistani armed forces to be used against the militants.

The United States is also due to deliver 18 more F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan in June, which have been fitted with sophisticated night-vision equipment, The News quoted Glenn, as saying.

USAF secretary Michael Donley said Washington is offering the assistance as Islamabad has romped up operations against the Islamic extremists and is in need of an additional capability to dismantle the terror network completely.

The White House' decision to provide more weapons to Pakistan came as the Pakistani forces claimed to have captured the Taliban's nerve centre in the Bajaur Agency's Damadola region. (ANI)

 

[Arsalan]

Mk82 General Purpose Bomb
The MK-82 is a free-fall, nonguided general purpose [GP] 500-pound bomb. The bomb is usually equipped with the mechanical M904 (nose) and M905 (tail) fuzes or the radar-proximity FMU-113 air-burst fuze. The MK 80 series Low Drag General Purpose (LDGP) bombs are used in the majority of bombing operations where maximum blast and explosive effects are desired. LDGP bombs are designed to be aerodynamically streamlined. Their cases are relatively light and approximately 45 percent of their complete weight is explosive. General purpose bombs may use both nose and tail fuzes and conical or retarded tail fins.
The MK82 AIR is a 500 pound bomb modified with a BSU-49/B high drag tail assembly. The "ballute" air bag which deploys from the tail provides a high speed, low altitude delivery capability by quickly slowing the bomb and allowing the aircraft to escape the blast pattern. The tail assembly consists of a low-drag canister unit containing a ballute (combination balloon and parachute), and a release lanyard assembly that opens the canister releasing the ballute. The ballute assembly is made from high strength low porosity nylon fabric. When the bomb is released from the aircraft a lanyard unlatches the back cover which opens, releasing part of the nylon bag/retarder. Air turbulence at the rear of the bomb acts on that portion of the retarder, pulling the remainder out of the housing. Ram air inflation is accomplished through four air inlet ports toward the aft end of the ballute. The weapon can be delivered in the low-drag mode (canister remains closed after release) or in the high drag mode. The pilot may select either a high drag or low drag configuration depending on mission requirements.


The MK-80 series was developed in the 1950s in response to the need for bombs producing less aerodynamic drag. All MK-80 series bombs are similar in construction. MK-80 series bombs are cylindrical in shape and are equipped with conical fins or retarders for external high-speed carriage. They are fitted for both nose and tail fuzes to ensure reliability and produce effects of blast, cratering, or fragmentation. During Desert Storm the MK-80 series of bombs were dropped from literally every fixed-wing aircraft that supported the ground offensive. The bombs were used against a wide variety of targets, including artillery, trucks, bunkers, Scuds, surface-to-air missile sites, antiaircraft artillery sites, early warning radars, and supply points.


Some bombs are thermally protected for use on aircraft carriers. The thermally protected MK 80 series bomb was developed to increase the cookoff time and decrease the reaction of bombs when engulfed in a fuel fire. The MK 82 and MK 83 series LDGP bombs underwent a Product Improvement Initiative (PII) which entailed filling the bomb cases with a less sensitive explosive. When so filled the MK 82 and MK 83 bombs are redesignated BLU-111/B and BLU-110/B, respectively.

Specifications
Class 500 lb. General Purpose Bomb, Blast/Fragmentation
Guidance Ballistic
Autopilot: None
Propulsion: None
Weight 241 kg / 500 lbs.
Length 2.21 m / 66.15 in.
Diameter 10.75 in.
Warhead 500 lbs.
Explosive 89 kg / 192 lbs Tritonal, Minol II, or H-6
Fuze Variety for nose and tail.
Stabilizer MAU-93/B,
BSU49/B AIR,
MK-15 Snakeye
Contractor Nad Crane
Unit Cost $268.50

MK82 - Dumb Bombs

hope it helps...
regards!

 

[Windjammer]

It's still a bit confusing, we know only two Block-52s are currently up and running, so how is it possible that 18 of these toys would be delivered by June as reported.?
In all probability, the embargoed aircraft are being channeled after refurbishment. Unless off course America is diverting Block-52 from other sources as was the case with first lot of F-16s.

 

[Arsalan]

It's still a bit confusing, we know only two Block-52s are currently up and running, so how is it possible that 18 of these toys would be delivered by June as reported.?
In all probability, the embargoed aircraft are being channeled after refurbishment. Unless off course America is diverting Block-52 from other sources as was the case with first lot of F-16s.

diverting from other sources might not be the case as PAF have demanded new blk 52 aircrafts!!

regards!

 

[Windjammer]

diverting from other sources might not be the case as PAF have demanded new blk 52 aircrafts!!

regards!

No, what i meant was diverting from other customer orders.

 

[fatman17]

ASIA PACIFIC
Date Posted: 03-Mar-2010


Jane's Defence Weekly

US to send Pakistan laser-guided bomb kits

Caitlin Harrington JDW Staff Reporter - Washington, DC

The US military is planning to ship laser-guided bomb kits to Pakistan to help the country in its fight against Islamic militants.

Secretary of the US Air Force (USAF) Michael Donley said on 2 March that the arms sales come in response to a request from Pakistan. Donley said he has met with the chief of the Pakistani Air Force three times over the past year or so.

He also said Pakistan would also start receiving 18 Block 52 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in mid-2010.

"As they have ramped up operations [in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province] they are looking ways to get additional capability," he said at a Washington, DC breakfast. "We've responded by providing further assistance in munitions, night-vision goggles and training-related matters; there continues to be a dialogue back and forth."

The delivery of the 18 F-16s will bring Pakistan's fleet size to 63. Donley said Pakistan was modernising the capabilities of its older fighter aircraft.

 

[ice_man]

you won't last long here i am sure!!! after such statements!

but NO actually WE ARE PLANNING TO SEND THEM OVER ACROSS THE BORDER INTO DELHI!!! a bus full of them to come down watch i am KHAN!

MODS kick this boy out before he starts trolling!!!

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Can these laser bombs be used to create pin point openings in lets say a DAM ... that is hording water ? Because if we can open a permenent opening of 50 meter diameter it will help improve water flow while avoiding any civilian casualties

 

[fatman17]

ASIA PACIFIC
Date Posted: 05-Mar-2010


Jane's Defence Weekly

US boosts Pakistani air power to support border operations

Farhan Bokhari JDW Correspondent - Islamabad

Caitlin Harrington JDW Staff Reporter - Washington DC

Key Points
The US military is sending laser-guided bomb kits and F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan

The Pakistan Air Force has asked for the equipment to fight Islamic extremists on the Afghanistan border


The US military is shipping laser-guided bomb (LGB) kits to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in recognition of the growing role that airpower has played in operations against Islamic militants along the Afghanistan border over the past year.

Secretary of the US Air Force (USAF) Michael Donley said on 2 March that the arms sales come in response to a request from Pakistan. He said he has met with the chief of the PAF three times over the past year.

Donley also said Pakistan would also receive 18 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 52 fighters starting in mid-2010.

"As they have ramped up operations [in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province] they are looking at ways to get additional capability," he said at a breakfast conference in Washington, DC. "We've responded by providing further assistance in munitions, night-vision goggles and training-related matters; there continues to be a dialogue back and forth."

The F-16 order, which will bring Pakistan's fleet of the type up to 63, comprises 12 single-seat F-16Cs and six twin-seat F-16Ds. The F-16C/Ds will be equipped with ITT Avionics AN/ALQ-173 electronic warfare systems obtained via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. Eighteen Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pods have also been purchased as part of a different FMS contract and are due to be delivered to the PAF in December 2010.

Donley said Pakistan was also modernising the capabilities of its older fighter aircraft.

A Pakistani government official speaking to Jane's on 3 March said the delivery of the bomb kits, the recent delivery of bombs and the new F-16s "together comprise evidence of a greater understanding between the US and Pakistan. The US is beginning to accept the increasingly effective use of airpower by the PAF".

A Western defence official in Islamabad told Jane's : "The upcoming sales of smart bomb kits and bombs will allow PAF planners to liberally use these weapons in future attacks. This is a natural build-up to an increasingly important role played by the PAF."

In February the US delivered 1,000 Mk 82 500 lb (227 kg) bombs to the PAF. Pakistani and Western defence officials have told Jane's that the US will deliver 700 GBU-12 and 300 GBU-10 Paveway LGB kits, built by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, to the PAF in March.

"These kits will allow the PAF to use the Mk 82 bombs already delivered more efficiently," said the Pakistani government official.

Over the past year the PAF has assumed an increasingly central role supporting operations initially launched by the Pakistan Army, targeting the sanctuaries of Taliban militants along the country's border with Afghanistan. Unlike ground operations, which involve the risk of greater military casualties, the PAF's deployment has helped to reduce casualties during operations against Taliban safe havens.