Smart Bomb

Guided munitions that achieve a greater degree of accuracy and cause less collateral damage. Features that distinguish smart bombs from ordinary bombs are an electronic sensor system, a control system, and adjustable flight fins for guidance.

The three primary types of smart bomb technology are TV/IR-guided bombs (television/infrared), laser-guided bombs, and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs. The TV/IR-guided bombs essentially operate like a remote-control glider, with a remote operator steering the bomb to a given target. Laser-guided smart bombs are guided by an operator, who directs the bomb to the target via laser light. The disadvantage of both of these systems is that the bomb sensor must maintain visual contact with the target and may be diverted by cloud cover or other obstacles.

The JDAM bomb avoids this problem by using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to orient itself. Before dropping the bomb, the attacking aircraft uses its own GPS receiver to locate the target on the ground. This information is fed to the JDAM's computer just before launch and the JDAM's GPS receiver processes signals from GPS satellites to steer the bomb toward its target.

Technological advances toward the development of more accurate smart bombs dates back to experiments with guided aircraft during World War I. The first successful guided-bomb experiments took place during World War II. Greater sensitivity to civilian casualties during the Vietnam War led to the development of more sophisticated smart bomb technology. It was not until the Gulf War of 1991, however, that smart bombs received the most attention.