LS PGB

Last updated

LS
JF17-10-114-1748.jpg
A model of the LS-6 (right) on display at the Farnborough International Airshow 2010 along with a JF-17 Thunder
Type Precision-guided munition, glide bomb
Place of originFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Service history
In service2006—present
Used byAir Force Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  People's Liberation Army Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerLuoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center
Produced2006—present
Specifications
Mass50 kg, 100 kg, 250 kg, 500 kg
WarheadVarious gravity bombs
Detonation
mechanism
Impact or Proximity
Maximum speed Free-fall
Guidance
system
INS with GNSS/laser guidance/scene matching area correlator
Launch
platform
Aircraft

Lei Shi (Chinese :雷石; pinyin :Léi shí; lit.'Thunder Stone'), abbreviated as LS, is a series of precision-guided munitions (PGM) developed by Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center (LOTDC), [1] [2] a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Leishi is a type of guidance kit that can modify existing unguided bomb into guided standoff munition. These maneuverable guided bombs are similar in roles to the American Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kit but with longer ranges.

Contents

Development

A model of the LS-6 precision-guided glide bomb (left). The folding wings on top of the bomb can be seen, as well as the tail kit, both colored white. JF17-10-113-1742.jpg
A model of the LS-6 precision-guided glide bomb (left). The folding wings on top of the bomb can be seen, as well as the tail kit, both colored white.

Backgound

The Chinese development of the precision-guided bomb began in the 1970s after the Chinese military observed the American usage of Paveway in the Vietnam War. Factory 624, later known as the Harbin Jiancheng Group, a subsidiary of Norinco, began the development process in 1974, with prototypes completed in 1980. Between 1984 and 1985, the guided bomb was tested via ground laser designation, while in 1986, the bomb was tested with an aerial laser targeting pod prototype. Prototypes were tested on the H-5 bomber. The project was canceled in the late 1980s due to budgetary issues. [3] The prototype guided bomb in the canceled project was designated Type 7712. [4]

A new laser-guided bomb project was initiated in 1992 after Chinese observation of the Gulf War. This project received more budgetary, human, and political resources. The bomb system was tasked to the Luoyang-based China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA, 612th Research Institute), and the targeting pod was tasked to the Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center (LOTDC, 613th Research Institute), and the production was tasked to the Factory 624 (Harbin Jiancheng Group). The final product was LS-500J laser-guided bomb, later renamed LT-2 laser-guided bomb for export. [3] LS-500J (LT-2) was one of the most widely used guided bombs in China's arsenal. [3] [5]

Eventually, the original LS-500J branched out to the other series of guided bombs, [3] which were manufactured by different defense factories and institutions: [6]

LS-6 series

LS-6 precision-guided bomb was initially revealed at the 2006 Zhuhai Airshow. [15] [16]

LS kit is a strap-on upgrade package to provide general-purpose bomb with range extension and precision strike capabilities. [17] The kit consists of two modules: the guidance module and gliding wings. The guidance module includes inertial/satellite guidance, typically mounted in the tail cone of the weapon, and electro-optical seeker with scene matching area correlator [18] or laser guidance seeker, which is mounted at the tip of the bomb. [17] The gliding module, including the folding wings and cruciform tail control surfaces, is made of composite material and comes in different versions for different sizes of gravity bomb, such as 500 kg (1,100 lb), 250 kg (550 lb), 100 kg (220 lb), and 50 kg (110 lb). [17] The range for the 500 kg (1,100 lb) bomb is 60 km (37 mi) at 900 km/h (490 kn) with release attitude of 11 km (36,000 ft). [18]

LS kit series uses the GJV289A standard, the Chinese equivalent of MIL-STD-1553B. The adaptation of such military standards means that the weapon can be readily deployed on any Western platform. The 100 kg (220 lb) and 50 kg (110 lb) variants of the LS-6 are externally similar to the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, which can be carried in the internal weapons bays of stealth fighters such as the Chengdu J-20. [19]

Variants

Type 7712
Prototype laser-guided bomb. Marketed as LT-1 for export by Norinco in the early 1990s. The marketing was halted after the project cancellation. [20]
LS-500J
First generation of the laser-guided bomb. Renamed to LT-2 for export. [21] In PLAAF service, the LS-500J (FT-2) is designated K/YGB500. [22]
LS-6/500
LS-6 glide bomb kit with a pair of horizontal wings mounted on a 500 kg (1,100 lb) unguided bomb. The guidance module consists of GNSS and INS. [18]
LS-6/250
LS-6 glide bomb kit with a pair of horizontal wings mounted on a 250 kg (550 lb) unguided bomb. The guidance module consists of GNSS and INS. [18]
LS-6/100
LS-6 glide bomb with compact control surfaces and a nose-mounted electro-optical seeker mounted on a 100 kg (220 lb) unguided bomb. The guidance module consists of INS with either laser-homing or scene-matching area correlator seeker [18] and satellite. [23]
LS-6/50
LS-6 glide bomb with compact control surfaces and a nose-mounted electro-optical seeker mounted on a 50 kg (110 lb) unguided bomb. The guidance module consists of INS with either laser-homing or scene-matching area correlator seeker, [18] and satellite. [23]

Specifications

Bomb specifications. [17] [18] [24]
LS-6/500
Launch massApprox. 540 kg (1,190 lb)
Warhead440 kg (970 lb) HE Blast
LengthApprox. 3.5 m (11 ft)
Diameter0.377 m (1.24 ft)
SpanApprox. 2.5 m (8.2 ft)
Range40 km (22 nmi) at 8 km (26,000 ft)
65 km (35 nmi) at 11 km (36,000 ft)
Release altitude4–11 km (13,000–36,000 ft)
Release speed600–1,000 km/h (320–540 kn)
SteeringCruciform trailing edges + folded high-wing
Guidance GNSS + INS
Accuracy (CEP)≤15m

Operator

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GBU-12 Paveway II</span> Unpowered laser guided bomb

The GBU-12 Paveway II is an American aerial laser-guided bomb, based on the Mk 82 500 lb (230 kg) general-purpose bomb, but with the addition of a nose-mounted laser seeker and fins for guidance. A member of the Paveway series of weapons, Paveway II entered into service c. 1976. It is currently in service with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and various other air forces.

The Mark 84 or BLU-117 is a 2,000-pound (900 kg) American general-purpose bomb. It is the largest of the Mark 80 series of weapons. Entering service during the Vietnam War, it became a commonly used US heavy unguided bomb. At the time, it was the third largest bomb by weight in the US inventory behind the 15,000-pound (6,800 kg) BLU-82 "Daisy Cutter" and the 3,000-pound (1,400 kg) M118 "demolition" bomb. It is currently sixth in size due to the addition of the 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) GBU-28 in 1991, the 22,600 lb (10,300 kg) GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb (MOAB) in 2003, and the 30,000 lb (14,000 kg) Massive Ordnance Penetrator.

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs", into all-weather precision-guided munitions (PGMs). JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km). JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 to 2,000 pounds. The JDAM's guidance system was jointly developed by the United States Air Force and United States Navy, hence the "joint" in JDAM. When installed on a bomb, the JDAM kit is given a GBU identifier, superseding the Mark 80 or BLU nomenclature of the bomb to which it is attached.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paveway</span> Laser-guided aerial bomb family

Paveway is a series of laser-guided bombs (LGBs).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laser-guided bomb</span> Type of guided bomb

A laser-guided bomb (LGB) is a guided bomb that uses semi-active laser guidance to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than an unguided bomb. First developed by the United States during the Vietnam War, laser-guided bombs quickly proved their value in precision strikes of difficult point targets. These weapons use on-board electronics to track targets that are designated by laser, typically in the infrared spectrum, and adjust their glide path to accurately strike the target. Since the weapon is tracking a light signature, not the object itself, the target must be illuminated from a separate source, either by ground forces, by a pod on the attacking aircraft, or by a separate support aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General-purpose bomb</span> Aerial bomb used for multiple purposes

A general-purpose bomb is an air-dropped bomb intended as a compromise between blast damage, penetration, and fragmentation in explosive effect. They are designed to be effective against enemy troops, vehicles, and buildings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BOLT-117</span> First laser-guided aerial bomb

The Texas Instruments BOLT-117, retrospectively redesignated as the GBU-1/B was the world's first laser-guided bomb (LGB). It consisted of a standard M117 750-pound (340 kg) bomb case with a KMU-342 laser guidance and control kit. This consisted of a gimballed laser seeker on the front of the bomb and tail and control fins to guide the bomb to the target. The latter used the bang-bang method of control where each control surface was either straight or fully deflected. This was inefficient aerodynamically, but reduced costs and minimized demands on the primitive onboard electronics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spice (bomb)</span> Israeli precision-guided bomb kit

The "SPICE" is an Israeli-developed, EO/GPS- guidance kit used for converting air-droppable unguided bombs into precision-guided bombs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guided bomb</span> Bomb controllable from an external device

A guided bomb is a precision-guided munition designed to achieve a smaller circular error probable (CEP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armement Air-Sol Modulaire</span> Air-to-surface missile

The Armement Air-Sol Modulaire, commonly called AASMHammer, is a French, all-weather, smart air-to-surface stand-off weapon developed by Safran Electronics & Defense. Meant for both close air support and deep strike missions, the AASM is highly modular.

Fei Teng, abbreviated as FT, is a series of precision-guided munitions (PGM) developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Competing with the LS series, the FT series bombs serve similar roles to the American JDAM, JDAM-ER, and Laser JDAM bombs.

Lei Ting, abbreviated as LT, is a series of precision-guided munitions (PGM) developed by Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center (LOTDC), a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The first variant, LT-2, was one of the most produced laser-guided bombs in the Chinese military. The role and performance of the Lei Ting series are roughly equivalent to the Paveway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Precision-guided munition</span> "Smart bombs", used to strike targets precisely

A precision-guided munition (PGM), also called a smart weapon, smart munition, or smart bomb, is a guided munition intended to hit a specific target, to minimize collateral damage and increase lethality against intended targets. During the Persian Gulf War guided munitions accounted for only 9% of weapons fired, but accounted for 75% of all successful hits. Despite guided weapons generally being used on more difficult targets, they were still 35 times more likely to destroy their targets per weapon dropped.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sudarshan laser-guided bomb</span> Laser guided bomb

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BRE is a series of guided rockets (missiles) manufactured by Chinese Norinco.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">UMPK (bomb kit)</span> Russian glide bomb kit

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Tian Ge, abbreviated as TG or GB, is a series of precision-guided munitions (PGM) developed by Harbin Jiancheng Group, a subsidiary of China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco).

YZ is a series of precision-guided munitions (PGM) developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).

Yunlei, abbreviated as YL or prefixed with CS/BB, is a series of precision-guided munitions (PGM) and special-purpose bombs developed by China South Industries Group.

References

  1. ↑ Cole, J. Michael (January 3, 2013). "Chinese satellites turn 'dumb' bombs into 'smart' bombs". Taipei Times.
  2. ↑ "Chinese guided bombs make appearance at Zhuhai show". FlightGlobal. November 21, 2006.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "我军为打激光制导炸弹曾研五款载机 强5战机挑大梁". Sina News. August 20, 2018.
  4. ↑ "国产第二代激光制导炸弹入役我军 已超俄军同类产品". Sina News (in Chinese). October 15, 2018.
  5. ↑ "激光制导炸弹原理及发展". China optics and optoelectronics. December 12, 2007.
  6. ↑ Yin Ximei, Kang Yanqing (September 2021). "Development Trend of UAV-borne Precision Guided Bomb Technology". Ordnance Industry Automation. doi:10.7690/bgzdh.2021.09.020.
  7. 1 2 3 "我国"雷石系列滑翔制导炸弹"，让枭龙武器库威力更强大". NetEast News (in Chinese). June 14, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Tian-Ge Precision Guided Bomb". globalsecurity.
  9. ↑ "NORINCO Yunlei YL small-diameter guided bombs". globalsecurity.
  10. ↑ "中国布撒武器首次曝光 最重激光制导炸弹亮相". China News Service. November 14, 2012.
  11. ↑ "中国卫星制导武器山寨美？要从18年前一枚炸弹谈起". Sina News (in Chinese). May 8, 2017.
  12. ↑ "中国多型高效精确毁伤弹药曝光 实弹发射画面公开". Tencent News (in Chinese). October 26, 2021.
  13. ↑ "NORINCO Yunlei YL small-diameter guided bombs". globalsecurity.
  14. ↑ "精确制导炸弹在珠海航展井喷 航空子母炸弹稀奇". China News Service. November 14, 2012.
  15. ↑ "雷石—6 制导炸弹等多种制导武器亮相航展". iFeng. November 3, 2006.
  16. ↑ "Picture: Chinese precision-guided gliding bomb revealed". FlightGlobal. October 17, 2006. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "LS-6 precision guided glide bomb". Military Periscope.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "PLA Guided Bombs". Aus Airpower.
  19. ↑ "LS-6". ODIN.
  20. ↑ "深度：浅谈我国激光制导炸弹发展 制导精度已可达到3米". Sina News (in Chinese). January 9, 2015.
  21. ↑ "LT-2/LS-500J Laser Guided Bomb". Globalsecurity.
  22. ↑ "中国空军公开首款国产双模制导炸弹，直接跨代进入世界领先行列". Natease News. September 29, 2021.
  23. 1 2 "中国空军公开首款国产双模制导炸弹，直接跨代进入世界领先行列". Natease News (in Chinese). September 29, 2021.
  24. ↑ "国产雷霆-2雷石6制导炸弹首亮相(组图)". Sina News (in Chinese). November 1, 2006.
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