Gravity Bomb:
U.S. Defense Secretary announced a tactical shift to using 500, 1,000, and 2,000-pound precision gravity bombs against Iran, signaling that Iranian air defenses have been sufficiently degraded to allow direct aerial bombardment.
- A gravity bomb, often referred to as a free-fall or dumb bomb, is an unpowered munition that does not possess an internal propulsion system or engine.
- Unlike a missile, which flies under its own power, a gravity bomb relies entirely on the laws of physics and the momentum of the aircraft to reach its target.
- A gravity bomb typically consists of three main components:
- The Warhead (Body): A streamlined steel casing filled with high explosives (such as Tritonal or Composition H6). The current U.S. campaign utilizes the Mark 80 series (Mk 82, Mk 83, and Mk 84).
- The Fuse: A device (mechanical or electronic) located in the nose or tail that triggers the explosion upon impact or at a specific altitude.
- The Guidance Kit (JDAM): A modern add-on tail section that includes GPS receivers and steerable tail fins to turn a dumb bomb into a smart precision weapon.
