Guided Bomb Unit-27 (GBU-27)
 

The Guided Bomb Unit-27 (GBU-27) is a GBU-24 modified for delivery by the F-117 stealth fighter. The operator illuminates a target with a laser designator and then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy reflected from the target. It uses a 2,000-pound penetrating warhead against hard targets. The GBU-27 was used in Operation Desert Storm. According to the Air Force, the GBU-27 hit 70 percent of its targets.

The GBU-27 was designed specifically for use by the F-117's advanced target acquisition/designator system. The GBU-27 uses a BLU-109 improved performance 2,000 pound bomb developed in 1985 under the project name HAVE VOID. The BLU-109 was designed for use against hardened structures and features a high-strength forged steel case and a new delayed-action tail fuze. It carries 550 pounds of high explosives and can penetrate more than six feet of reinforced concrete.

The GBU-27 uses a modified Paveway II guidance control unit which provides "terminal trajectory shaping" for optimum impact angle against various target structures. For example, it will hit an aircraft shelter with a vertical impact, but make a horizontal approach to a bridge support. A Paveway II tail assembly with folding wings completes the bomb.
The F-117 can carry two GBU-27s in two weapons bays and is reportedly capable of hitting a one square meter target from an altitude of 25,000 feet.

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<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="90%"><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#000080 colSpan=2>Specifications

</TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Mission </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Close air support, interdiction, offensive counter air, naval anti- surface warfare </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Targets </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Mobile hard, fixed hard, fixed soft </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Service </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Air Force </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Program status </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Operational </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>First capability </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>1987 </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Guidance method </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Laser (man-in-the-loop) </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Range </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Greater than 10 nautical miles </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Development cost </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Not available - Air Force officials state that development cost was not available because they do not have records covering the development period. </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Production cost </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>$176.715 million </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Total acquisition cost </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Not available </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Acquisition unit cost </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Not available </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Production unit cost </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>$55,000 </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Quantity </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>3,213 </TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%" bgColor=#ffffff>Platform </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>F-117 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>