GBU-8 Homing Bomb System (HOBOS)
General Info:
Origin = USA
Type = High Explosive
IOC = 1976
Guidance method = Electro Optical
Mission = Air interdiction
Targets = Mobile hard, fixed soft, fixed hard
Platforms = F-4
Performance:
Accuracy = 20ft
Drag = ?
Min Release Alt. = ?
Range = 13nm
Dimensions:
Length = 11 ft 11in
Diameter = 18in
Fin Span = 3ft 8in
Weight = 2264lbs
Warhead:
MK-84 bomb
Compared to the Paveway I laser-guided bombs (LGBs), the HOBOS EOGBs had the advantage that they were fully autonomous "fire-and-forget" weapons (no external support like the laser illuminators for the LGBs was necessary). However, this advantage was more than made up by the much higher cost of the EOGB kits, the necessary modifications to the delivery aircraft, and the limitation to high-contrast targets. Furthermore, the image contrast seeker technology of the time was imperfect, and on average the HOBOS bombs were less reliable and accurate than the LGBs. The USAF acquired about 4000 KMU-353A/B kits, and dropped about 700 GBU-8/Bs during the Vietnam war. This represented the vast majority of HOBOS bombs produced, because the KMU-359/B and KMU-390/B kits were built in small numbers only.
The GBU-8 consists of a contrast seeker in the nose section, four cruciform tailfins with flying surfaces for control, strakes connecting the tailfins with the nose section, and a 2000 lb Mk. 84 LDGP bomb. The same type of guidance kit was also attached to a 3000 lb Mark 118 bomb, where it was designated GBU-9.
General Info:
Origin = USA
Type = High Explosive
IOC = 1976
Guidance method = Electro Optical
Mission = Air interdiction
Targets = Mobile hard, fixed soft, fixed hard
Platforms = F-4
Performance:
Accuracy = 20ft
Drag = ?
Min Release Alt. = ?
Range = 13nm
Dimensions:
Length = 11 ft 11in
Diameter = 18in
Fin Span = 3ft 8in
Weight = 2264lbs
Warhead:
MK-84 bomb
Compared to the Paveway I laser-guided bombs (LGBs), the HOBOS EOGBs had the advantage that they were fully autonomous "fire-and-forget" weapons (no external support like the laser illuminators for the LGBs was necessary). However, this advantage was more than made up by the much higher cost of the EOGB kits, the necessary modifications to the delivery aircraft, and the limitation to high-contrast targets. Furthermore, the image contrast seeker technology of the time was imperfect, and on average the HOBOS bombs were less reliable and accurate than the LGBs. The USAF acquired about 4000 KMU-353A/B kits, and dropped about 700 GBU-8/Bs during the Vietnam war. This represented the vast majority of HOBOS bombs produced, because the KMU-359/B and KMU-390/B kits were built in small numbers only.
The GBU-8 consists of a contrast seeker in the nose section, four cruciform tailfins with flying surfaces for control, strakes connecting the tailfins with the nose section, and a 2000 lb Mk. 84 LDGP bomb. The same type of guidance kit was also attached to a 3000 lb Mark 118 bomb, where it was designated GBU-9.