The GBU-48 is a “glide bomb” for short ranges of less than 25 kilometers. GBU stands for Guided Bomb Unit. The GBU-48 is suitable for precisely engaging predetermined target structures – regardless of the time of day and under almost all weather and visibility conditions.
The German Air Force uses the bomb on its Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft. The 500 kilogram bomb is used against unhardened targets or enemy positions. Targeting is carried out using GPS technology. The bomb falls on coordination data determined before it is dropped.
Laser technology is used for alternative targeting. The bomb’s laser seeker head detects the target, which is illuminated by a laser and thus marked for the bomb. The laser marking can be carried out either by a person on the ground or from an aircraft.
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