LS PGB
LS | |
---|---|
gravity bombs | |
Detonation mechanism | Impact or Proximity |
Maximum speed | Free-fall |
Guidance system | INS with GPS or laser guidance |
Launch platform | Aircraft |
LS is an abbreviation for a family of Chinese built precision-guided munitions (PGM) named Thunder Stone Precision Guided Bomb (Chinese: 雷石精确制导炸弹, Léi-shí Jīngquè Zhì-dǎo Zhàdàn) developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).[1] Alternatively, the LS PGB is also referred to by its gliding capability, as Thunder Stone Gliding Guided Bomb (Chinese: 雷石滑翔制导炸弹 Léi-shí Huáxiáng Zhì-dǎo Zhàdàn), or LS GGB. The guidance design of LS PGB is also adopted for another family of Chinese PGM, the YZ series, such as YZ-102 series. These PGMs are referred to in China as precision guided bombs (PGB).
LS PGB
LS PGB is actually an upgrade kit to modernize gravity bombs with precision /
Chinese media have shown photographs of FT PGB being dropped from helicopters such as Chinese Naval
Small 50 kg and 100 kg variants of the LS-6 are also featured, similar to the
CS/BBC5
At the 9th Zhuhai Airshow held in November 2012, another derivative of LS PGB developed by China South Industries Group was revealed to the public.[2] Designated as CS/BBC5, this weaponry utilize the design of LS PGB but the shape of the bomb is different in that it has a cross section of square instead of a circle like the original LS PGB.[3] Designed as a stand-off weapon and weighing at 500 kg, it carries sub-munitions and is a fire and forget weapon.[4]
YZ-100 PGB
The guidance design of LS PGB is also adopted for another family of Chinese PGM, the YZ series, which made its public debut in the 8th
Technically, YZ-100 series bombs are not PGBs, but cluster bombs instead. What gives the precision guidance capability for YZ-100 series is in its sub-munitions: different guidance systems such as inertial, satellite, laser, infrared, and millimeter wave radar can be adopted for each sub-munition, depending on customer's request. During deployments, once the YZ-100 series bombs is dropped over the general location of the targets, the sub-munitions are released, and this is the time when precision guidance actually begins, all the way until the final impact. Although various guidance systems are available upon customer request, the cost is a major fact that prevents YZ-100 series to be purchased in huge quantity. As of the end of 2010, only six types of YZ-100 series PGB have been accepted into Chinese service due to budgetary constrains. Another drawback of YZ-100 series PGB is that in comparison to dozens or hundred unguided sub-munitions each bomb carries, the number of sub-munitions each bomb carries is drastically reduced to as little as three when the sub-munition is guided, depending on the type of guidance adopted.
K/YBS500
YZ-100 PGB is considered by many as a weapon in the class of
TL500
At the 9th
YZ-200 PGB
The other member of YZ series PGBs are YZ-200 series PGB, which was also revealed at the 8th Zhuhai Airshow.[14] In addition to YZ-200, one other member YZ-212 is also shown in photographic form.[15] Despite of having larger serial numbers, YZ-200 was actually the first member of YZ series, and contrary to many frequent but erroneous claim, this weaponry is not a Chinese copy of similar Soviet/Russian sample, but instead, YZ-200 traces its root back to the American CBU-100 cluster bomb. Unexploded examples of CBU-100 bombs in Vietnam War were provided to China by North Vietnam, and reverse engineering efforts resulted in the Chinese Type 250 series cluster bomb fielded in 1979, and YZ-200 is a direct descendant of the Type 250-series cluster bomb.[16]
Like its smaller cousin YZ-100 series, YZ-200 is also divided into three subcategories by the weight of the bombs used, except it's larger: 50 kg, 125 kg, and 250 kg. The primary differences between YZ-100 series & YZ-200 series is that YZ-200 series is a truly PGB because the guidance system is installed on the bomb, so precision guidance is not achieved via sub-munitions. All guidance systems used for YZ-100 series can also be utilized for YZ-200 series, which inherits the same drawback - cost, which has limited the total types of YZ-200 series adopted by Chinese armed forces to nine (as end of 2010), despite that more types are available based on the guidance systems utilized.
CM-506KG
At the 9th
Operator
- China: People's Liberation Army
- People's Liberation Army Air Force
- People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force
- Serbian Air Force
- Pakistan: Pakistan Air Force
References
- ^ "LS PGB/PGM".
- ^ "CS/BBC5 air-to-surface missile". Archived from the original on January 1, 2013.
- ^ "CS/BBC5". Archived from the original on January 1, 2013.
- ^ CS/BBC5 missile
- ^ "高清:国产YZ100航空子母弹图集_新闻_腾讯网" [HD: Domestic YZ100 aerial submunition]. news.qq.com (in Chinese).
- ^ "K/YBS500". hmly666.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ "中国空军K/YBS500型机载多用途布撒器现身!黑图" [Chinese Air Force K/YBS500 airborne multipurpose disperser now available!]. blog.sina.com.cn (in Chinese). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ K/YBS500 air-to-surface missile
- ^ "国产K/YBS500型多用途机载撒布武器" [Home-made K/YBS500 multi-purpose airborne dispersal weapon]. blog.sina.com.cn (in Chinese).
- ^ TL500
- ^ "TL500 munition dispenser".
- ^ TL500 air-to-surface missile
- ^ "TL500 missile".
- ^ "YZ-200 PGB/PGM". Archived from the original on February 10, 2013.
- ^ "YZ-212". Archived from the original on January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Type 250 bomb". Archived from the original on January 27, 2013.