The accuracy of the “Soda Mountain” laser-guided bomb displayed by India this time is still part of the previous generation. Its head uses a weathercock-type guided bomb similar to the American Paveway-1, Russian KAB-500L and China Thunder-2 laser pointer-guided bomb. Seeker, this kind of seeker belongs to the first generation of laser guidance technology, and is currently in a state of being eliminated one after another. The missile’s guidance law is speed tracking guidance. Guidance is achieved through the downwind feature of the ring-shaped weathercock with its head extended. The axis of the weathercock follows the relative airflow direction of the flight. The optical system inside the weathercock indicator and the four-quadrant photoelectric The detector detects and tracks the laser signal, and forms an angle guidance command between the line of sight of the target and the axis of the weathercock, and flies to the target according to the speed tracking and guidance law. The disadvantage is that the field of view is small, it does not have the ability to automatically search and strike moving targets, and its accuracy, anti-interference and sensitivity are relatively low.
The Chinese Air Force began to install second-generation laser-guided bombs after 2013. At present, it is generally equipped with strong-5L attack aircraft, flying leopard attack aircraft, and three generations of J-10 and J-11 aircraft. The second-generation domestic laser-guided bomb adopts proportional guidance and is equipped with a gyro-stabilized seeker, which replaces the original weathercock seeker. The effective throw distance is increased several times, and the guidance accuracy and capture probability are improved. The Paveway III bombs currently in service in the United States are comparable.
In 2014, a multi-arms land-air joint actual military exercise was held on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at an altitude of 4,500 meters. This is the first time that a multi-arms integrated land-air joint military exercise has been organized in a high-altitude and cold area under the conditions of information technology. In this exercise, the J-10 fighters stationed in Tibet formed a dual-plane assault formation and dropped four second-generation laser-guided bombs at ground targets at the same time, performing precision strikes on key targets.
In March 2013, India’s first self-developed laser-guided bomb “Soda Mountain” finally got its mark. After being dropped by various fighter platforms such as Jaguar, LCA Brilliant Fighter and Su-30MKI, all bombing tests were completed. Achieve a finalized state. The Indian Air Force subsequently ordered 50 from the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Yes, it was 50. Five is followed by a zero.
This order surprised the Chinese Air Force next door. Since the beginning of the new century, the Chinese Air Force has used precision-guided weapons on a large scale. After the domestic Thunder-2 green laser pointer-guided bombs are equipped, the number of thrown away during the exercise alone is as high as hundreds. With an order of 50 pieces, don’t mention that you are an air force after you go out. Three years have passed. If no accident happens, all 50 bombs should be delivered to the Indian Air Force. The only worry is that the Indian Air Force’s domestic weapons development project is almost unsurprising.