View text source at Wikipedia

TG PGB

TG PGB
GB3 (GB250) bomb displayed at Zhuhai Airshow (far-left)
TypePrecision-guided bomb
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2006—present
Used byChina
Production history
ManufacturerHarbin Jiancheng Group
Produced2006—present
Specifications
Massup to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
Lengthdepends on model
Heightdepends on model
Diameterdepends on model
Wingspandepends on model
Warheadvarious gravity bombs
Detonation
mechanism
Impact / Proximity
Operational
range
depends on the altitude released
Maximum speed freefall
Guidance
system
inertial navigation, laser guidance, satellite guidance
Launch
platform
aerial platforms

Tian Ge (Chinese: 天戈; pinyin: tiān gē; lit. 'Lambda Boötis'), abbreviated as TG[1] or GB,[2] is a series of precision-guided munitions (PGM) developed by Harbin Jiancheng Group, a subsidiary of China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco).[3]

Development

[edit]

Background

[edit]

The Chinese development of the precision-guided bomb began in the 1970s after the Chinese military observed the American usage of Paveway in the Vietnam War. Factory 624, later known as the Harbin Jiancheng Group, a subsidiary of Norinco, began the development process in 1974, with prototypes completed in 1980. Between 1984 and 1985, the guided bomb was tested via ground laser designation, while in 1986, the bomb was tested with an aerial laser targeting pod prototype. Prototypes were tested on the H-5 bomber. The project was canceled in the late 1980s due to budgetary issues.[4] The prototype guided bomb in the canceled project was designated Type 7712.[5]

A new laser-guided bomb project was initiated in 1992 after Chinese observation of the Gulf War. This project received more budgetary, human, and political resources. The bomb system was tasked to the Luoyang-based China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA, 612th Research Institute), and the targeting pod was tasked to the Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center (LOTDC, 613th Research Institute), and the production was tasked to the Factory 624 (Harbin Jiancheng Group). The final product was LS-500J laser-guided bomb, later renamed LT-2 laser-guided bomb for export.[4] LS-500J (LT-2) was one of the most widely used guided bombs in China's arsenal.[4][6]

Eventually, the original LS-500J branched out to the other series of guided bombs,[4] which were manufactured by different defense factories and institutions:[2]

TG/GB series

[edit]

GB1 is the second-generation laser-guided bomb with a design based on LS-500J (LT-2). Unlike LS-500J (LT-2), it has a proportional navigation seeker[12] that is gyrostabilized. The new seeker provides GB1 with a longer detection range and a wider field of view.[5] GB1 was revealed at Zhuhai Airshow 2008[12] and was expanded into a series of bombs with different sizes. The series was renamed at Zhuhai Airshow 2012 as the Tian Ge (Chinese: 天戈; pinyin: tiān gē; lit. 'Lambda Boötis') series, which included TG100, TG250, TG500, and TG1000,[13] corresponding to their mass.[3] The GB1 was renamed TG500.[14] TG series bombs can also be mounted with glide wings, which are denoted with the ER suffix.[15][16] At Zhuhai Airshow 2014, TG series was renamed again to be GB series, with TG500, TG100 becoming GB500, GB100, etc.[17] Later variants of the GB series bomb, such as GB25, GB50, GB100 and GB1000, has third- and fourth-generation gimbaled seeker with dual model guidance module, combining laser with satellite / inertial navigation.[18][14]

Tiange bomb designations[2][14][13][19]
Original (2008) GB1
TG series (2012) TG500 Tiangang(TD500)-ER TG250 TG250-ER TG100 TG1000 Tianlei(TL)500 TG50
GB series (2014) GB500 GB2A GB250 (GB3) GB250A (GB3A) GB100 (GB4) GB1000 (GB5) GB6 GB50 (GB7)
Bomb class 500 kg (1,100 lb) 250 kg (550 lb) 100 kg (220 lb) 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) 500 kg (1,100 lb) 50 kg (110 lb)

The GB series bombs are deployed by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).[20]

The GB500 bomb in PLAAF service is designated K/YGB500B. The predecessor, LS-500J (FT-2) is designated K/YGB500.[18]

TD series

[edit]

At the Zhuhai Airshow 2012, Harbin Jiancheng Group also revealed Tiangang (Chinese: 天罡; pinyin: tiān gāng; lit. 'Big Dipper') series bombs,[3] abbreviated as the TD series.[21] TD series bombs can also be mounted with glide wings, which are denoted with the ER suffix.[22] TD series are satellite-guided bombss,[17] with options to fit panel wing-glider, similar to the roles and performance of the LS-6 series.[23]

TL series

[edit]

At the Zhuhai Airshow 2012, Harbin Jiancheng Group also revealed Tianlei (Chinese: 天雷; pinyin: tiān léi; lit. 'Sky Thunder') series bombs,[3] specifically the TL500, a 500 kg (1,100 lb) airborne munitions dispensers.[3] In 2014, the weapon was renamed as the GB6[17] or Tianlei-1 (TL-1).[24] Tianlei series bombs are multi-purpose airborne munitions dispensers with glide wings, which serves as a universal platform with customizable payloads, including various types of submunutions.[25] The TL500 has a cube-shaped stealth enclosure that reduces radar cross section (RCS) and increasing internal volume for payload, a launch mass of 500 kg (1,100 lb), and a reported range of more than 60 km (37 mi; 32 nmi)[26] or 80 mi (130 km; 70 nmi).[25]

Each dispenser contains 240 submunitions and has an effective area of 6,000 m2 (65,000 sq ft).[26] Six variants of submunitions are available,[26] including armor-penetrating submunitions for attacking armored columns,[26] anti-runway submunitions that create bulges and pits on the targeted surface and serves as mines to delay repair,[24][26] area blockade submunitions with fuzed acoustic and optical sensors targeting infrastructures,[24][26] fuel air explosive submunitions for cleaning out minefields,[24] combined effect submunitions with both armor-piercing and incendiary effect,[24] and self-propelled loitering submunitions containing reconnaissance and transmission equipment.[24] Submunitions can be loaded in separate bombs or mixed together in a single bomb.[24] Aside from carrying submunitions, TL500 can also load supplies or distribute leaflets.[24]

TL500 is the same or very similar to the K/YBS500 multi-purpose airborne munitions dispensers in the People's Liberation Army service, which is also developed by the 624th Factory (Harbin Jiancheng Group) of Norinco.[27] The TL500 and the Chinese service variants are capable of all-weather operations, autonomous flight, smart target acquisition, and long-range strike. Overall, the capabilities of the TL500 is similar to the AGM-154A-1 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW).[25][28]

The TL500 (GB6) is also similar to the CS/BBC5 (YJ-6), which is shown to have six tail strakes. In contrast, the TL500 (GB6) dispenser only has four tail edges. The CS/BBC5 (YJ-6) is reportedly a newer design.[25][29]

The Tianlei-2 (TL-2) or GB6A[24] variant was showcased at Zhuhai Airshow 2016, which is a GB6 guided bomb fitted with a miniature turbojet engine. The jet engine makes GB6A a cruise missile, providing extended range and offering capabilities similar to that of Storm Shadow and Taurus KEPD 350.[30] GB6A (TL-2) has two engine options, a solid rocket booster for more than 150 km (81 nmi) of range, and a turbojet engine for more than 280 km (150 nmi) of range. The guidance system and warhead customization options are similar to that of GB6.[24]

TJ series

[edit]

Harbin Jiancheng Group also produces guided modules for the rocket. The Tianjian (Chinese: 天箭; pinyin: tiān jiàn; lit. 'Sky Arrow') 90 mm (3.5 in) rocket debuted on Zhuhai Airshow 2012.[3] The rocket has the provision for guided seekers. The guided rocket was designated BRM-1.[31] The BRM-1 weighs 16.8–25 kg (37–55 lb), has a warhead of 4.8–5.6 kg (11–12 lb) with 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) TH50-50 high explosives. The range of the rocket is 8 km (4.3 nmi), and it uses semi-active radar guidance. The weapon can be fired in a salvo of 7 on the HF-7 launcher or a salvo of 20 on the HF-20 launcher.[31][28]

Variants

[edit]

Guided bomb variants produced by Harbin Jiancheng Group include:

TG500/GB500/GB1
laser-guided 500 kg (1,100 lb) bomb, the original variant with a second-generation seeker. SAL guidance.
TG250/GB250/GB3
laser-guided 250 kg (550 lb) bomb, the original variant with a second-generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL.[14]
TG250-ER/GB250A/GB3A
laser-guided 250 kg (550 lb) glide bomb, it's a GB250 bomb fitted with additional gliding wings. Dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL.[2]
TG100/GB100/GB4
laser-guided 100 kg (220 lb) bomb, the updated variant with a newer generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL.[14]
TG1000/GB1000/GB5
laser-guided 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bomb, updated variant with a newer generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL.[14]
TG50/GB50/GB7
laser-guided 50 kg (110 lb) bomb, updated variant with a newer generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL.[14]
TG25/GB25
laser-guided bomb, updated variant with a newer generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL.[14]
TD500-ER/GB2A
satellite-guided 500 kg (1,100 lb) glide bomb, INS / GNSS + SAL terminal guidance.
TL-1/TL500/GB6
satellite-guided 500 kg (1,100 lb) multi-purpose airborne munitions dispensers.
TL-2/GB6A
satellite-guided 500 kg (1,100 lb) multi-purpose airborne munitions dispensers with turbojet engine. Cruise missile.

Specifications

[edit]
Bomb specifications[2][14][18][32]
GB500/GB1 GB2A GB250/GB3 GB250A/GB3A GB100/GB4 GB1000/GB5 GB50/GB7 GB25
Launch mass 572 kg (1,261 lb) 260 kg (570 lb) 275 kg (606 lb) 130 kg (290 lb) 1,050 kg (2,310 lb)
Warhead 280 kg (620 lb) 90 kg (200 lb) 44 kg (97 lb) 210 kg (460 lb) PBX (GB5-I)
420 kg (930 lb) (GB5-II)[33] 		10 kg (22 lb) 3 kg (6.6 lb)
Length 3.5 m (11 ft) 3.4 m (11 ft) 3 m (9.8 ft) 2.35 m (7.7 ft) 4.15–4.75 m (13.6–15.6 ft) 1.6 m (5.2 ft) 1.3 m (4.3 ft)
Diameter 0.38 m (1.2 ft) 0.38 m (1.2 ft) 0.3 m (0.98 ft) 0.23 m (0.75 ft) 0.377–0.457 m (1.24–1.50 ft) 0.13 m (0.43 ft) 0.13 m (0.43 ft)
Span 0.55 m (1.8 ft) 3.15 m (10.3 ft) 0.68 m (2.2 ft) 0.95 m (3.1 ft) 1.659 m (5.44 ft) 0.42 m (1.4 ft) 0.34 m (1.1 ft)
Range 8 km (4.3 nmi) 80 km (43 nmi) 20 km (11 nmi) 80 km (43 nmi) 15–30 km (8.1–16.2 nmi) 25 km (13 nmi) 10–25 km (5.4–13.5 nmi)
Release altitude 5–10 km (16,000–33,000 ft) 3–12 km (9,800–39,400 ft) 4–15 km (13,000–49,000 ft)
Seeker gyrostabilized proportional navigation
(Gen 2) 		N/A gyrostabilized proportional navigation
(Gen 2) 		Gimballed scan array
(Gen 3/4)
Guidance SAL GNSS INS + GNSS + SAL
Steering Cruciform trailing edges Cruciform trailing edges + Panel wings Cruciform trailing edges Cruciform trailing edges + Panel wings Cruciform trailing edges
Accuracy (CEP) ≤3m (ground)
≤5m (air) 		≤15m ≤4m ≤3m

Operators

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Tian-Ge Precision Guided Bomb". globalsecurity.
  2. ^ a b c d e Yin Ximei, Kang Yanqing (September 2021). "Development Trend of UAV-borne Precision Guided Bomb Technology". Ordnance Industry Automation. doi:10.7690/bgzdh.2021.09.020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "中国布撒武器首次曝光 最重激光制导炸弹亮相". China News Service. 14 November 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d "我军为打激光制导炸弹曾研五款载机 强5战机挑大梁". Sina News. 20 August 2018.
  5. ^ a b "国产第二代激光制导炸弹入役我军 已超俄军同类产品". Sina News (in Chinese). 15 October 2018.
  6. ^ "激光制导炸弹原理及发展". China optics and optoelectronics. 12 December 2007.
  7. ^ a b c "我国"雷石系列滑翔制导炸弹"，让枭龙武器库威力更强大". NetEast News (in Chinese). 14 June 2024.
  8. ^ "中国卫星制导武器山寨美？要从18年前一枚炸弹谈起". Sina News (in Chinese). 8 May 2017.
  9. ^ "中国多型高效精确毁伤弹药曝光 实弹发射画面公开". Tencent News (in Chinese). 26 October 2021.
  10. ^ "精确制导炸弹在珠海航展井喷 航空子母炸弹稀奇". China News Service. 14 November 2012.
  11. ^ "NORINCO Yunlei YL small-diameter guided bombs". globalsecurity.
  12. ^ a b Kopp, Carlo; Andrew, Martin (8 August 2009). "PLA Guided Bombs". p. 1.
  13. ^ a b "Tian Ge laser-guided bomb". globalsecurity.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i "天雷降临！讲讲北方公司的GB系列外贸制导炸弹". Tencent News. 19 April 2021.
  15. ^ "深度：浅谈我国激光制导炸弹发展 制导精度已可达到3米". Sina News (in Chinese). 9 January 2015.
  16. ^ "TG250-ER". Archived from the original on January 15, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c QIN, Zuo (2015). "中国兵器馆的机载弹药". Ordnance Knowledge (1): 58-60. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Alt URL
  18. ^ a b c "中国空军公开首款国产双模制导炸弹，直接跨代进入世界领先行列". Natease News (in Chinese). 29 September 2021.
  19. ^ "NORINCO GB series of precision-guided bombs". globalsecurity.
  20. ^ "Update: Image suggests PLAAF is operating GB 100 precision-guided bomb". Janes. 21 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Bombs!". Archived from the original on 2013-01-19.
  22. ^ "TD500-ER bomb". Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
  23. ^ "航展观察：中国的"空地一体战"来了". Guancha (in Chinese). 16 November 2012.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "GB6 500kg dispenser "Tianlei"-1/2". globalsecurity.
  25. ^ a b c d Hunter, Jamie (17 August 2020). "New Chinese Air-Launched Glide Weapon Designed To Be An Airfield Killer". The War Zone.
  26. ^ a b c d e f "一次可下數百彈雨　中共威脅以「天雷500」摧毀機場". Radio Free Asia (in Traditional Chinese). 18 August 2020.
  27. ^ "K/YBS500". hmly666.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014.
  28. ^ a b Lin, Jeffrey; Singer, P.W. (17 November 2014). "The Missiles Of Zhuhai: China Displays New Strike Arsenal". Popular Science.
  29. ^ "歼20的隐形搭档：重型制导弹药生产线公开，数百子母弹天女散花". Tencent News. 16 August 2020.
  30. ^ "震撼：中国3大军工巨头在航展上竟展示如此多新导弹". Sina News. 9 November 2016.
  31. ^ a b "火箭弹告别洗地，也玩激光制导，讲讲BRM-1型精确制导90mm火箭弹". Tencent News. 6 March 2021.
  32. ^ "土耳其测试精确制导武器 或将在叙利亚战场上使用". Sina News (in Chinese). 22 May 2020.
  33. ^ "中国追赶美军二十年的制导炸弹，在未来登陆战中却没多少用武之地". NetEase News. 10 December 2020.
  34. ^ The International Institute of Strategic Studies (14 February 2020). The Military Balance 2020. Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated. ISBN 9780367466398.
  35. ^ "缅军在若开战场使用燃料空气炸弹 曾在中缅边境对付果敢同盟军". NetEase News. 7 May 2020.