Released: 15 Mar 1999
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- Teams from Raytheon Missile Systems, Lockheed Martin and Langley Air Force Base, Va., convened here March 8 to test the compatibility of the Enhanced Guided Bomb Unit-27 with the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The tests include examinations of loading and assembly procedures of the Raytheon bomb and the writing and rewriting of technical orders.
"We're taking the contractor's weapon and data and trying to incorporate it into the existing standard Air Force technical order system," said Master Sgt. Chris Dresel, Air Combat Command munitions systems acquisition manager.
He said although the bomb is similar to existing weapons, it will have its own peculiarities. Tech order adjustments are made during this phase of the acquisition effort.
"Our purpose is to verify that the TOs are appropriate for the guys in the field to use," added Maj. Rufus Gant, ACC chief of the munitions acquisition section.
The $110,000 bomb weighs 2,000 pounds and gives the Air Force all-weather precision strike capabilities by linking the existing laser guidance system with the inertial navigation and global positioning systems and will use the MARK-84 or the BLU 109 bomb body.
"We have laser-guided bombs and we have bombs that are INS, GPS guided, but this is the first bomb that combines the capabilities of both systems," said Dressel.
Bob Crites, Raytheon logistics manager for paveway programs, said the bomb provides additional aircrew safety as well because it can be dropped through any conditions. The Air Force plans to purchase 500 EGBU-27s and hopes to start initial training in the field in June. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)
RELATED SITES
* F-16 Fighting Falcon
* Air Combat Command
* Air Education and Training Command
* Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.