Question about the Paveway series of guided bombs

[AlexGuy]

I just wanted to ask in general. Is there a variant of the Paveway guided bomb that isn't exclusively a ground penetrator, has large explosive filler and can be used to target ground vehicles?

[AlexGuy]

I'm really looking for an answer.

[Czar66]

Paveway bombs are usually non ground penetrating munition.

IRL: AFAIK, after a light research on the internet, only the Paveways GBU-27 and GBU-28 are ground penetrator bombs.

For DCS: The GBU-24 will do the trick to take down several targets in an area.

[AlexGuy]

The same can be said for the GBU-10, GBU-12 and GBU-16 i'm guessing? These are also for use against ground targets such as tank convoys, right?

Edited February 26, 2024 by AlexGuy

[AlexGuy]

Am i right?

[Lace]

The 500lb GBU-12 ideal for anti-armour, especially as you can essentially guide them in through the commander's hatch.  Anything in the 1000lb class or over is excessive for single vehicles.

[QuiGon]

On 2/26/2024 at 7:49 PM, AlexGuy said:

The same can be said for the GBU-10, GBU-12 and GBU-16 i'm guessing? These are also for use against ground targets such as tank convoys, right?

GBU-12 = 500 lbs Mk-82 bomb with a Paveway II laser guidance kit added to it
GBU-16 = 1000 lbs Mk-83 bomb with a Paveway II laser guidance kit added to it
GBU-10 = 2000 lbs Mk-84 bomb with a Paveway II laser guidance kit added to it
GBU-24 = 2000 lbs BLU-109 penetrator with a Paveway III laser guidance kit added to it

That's how these LGBs are modeled in DCS. IRL there are different subvariants using different warheads, but the ones listed above are what we have in DCS.

Edited March 4, 2024 by QuiGon

[AlexGuy]

I see. Thanks.

[AlexGuy]

Also, which Paveways can the F-14 Tomcat carry?

[QuiGon]

On 3/8/2024 at 11:47 AM, AlexGuy said:

Also, which Paveways can the F-14 Tomcat carry?

Paveway II: GBU-12, GBU-16, GBU-10
Paveway III: GBU-24

[AlexGuy]

4 hours ago, QuiGon said:

Paveway II: GBU-12, GBU-16, GBU-10
Paveway III: GBU-24

On 2/26/2024 at 4:20 AM, Czar66 said:

Paveway bombs are usually non ground penetrating munition.

IRL: AFAIK, after a light research on the internet, only the Paveways GBU-27 and GBU-28 are ground penetrator bombs.

For DCS: The GBU-24 will do the trick to take down several targets in an area.

Nice. By the way, i thought the GBU-24 Paveway wasn't exclusively a penetrator bomb. However, from a photo i found as a reference, it's fireball is quite huge.

Edited March 11, 2024 by AlexGuy

[QuiGon]

20 minutes ago, AlexGuy said:

Nice. By the way, i thought the GBU-24 Paveway wasn't exclusively a penetrator bomb. However, from a photo i found as a reference, it's fireball is quite huge.

IRL GBU-24 is an entire family of bombs as its laser guidance kit can be attached to a bunch of different warheads, for example:

• Mk. 84 – 910 kilograms (2,000 lb) General Purpose
• BLU-109 – 910 kilograms (2,000 lb) Penetrator
• BLU-116 – Advanced Unitary Penetrator

See here for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GBU-24_Paveway_III

The GBU-24 we have in DCS is the one with the BLU-109 penetrator warhead.

Edited March 11, 2024 by QuiGon