GBU-24 Paveway III

The GBU-24 Paveway III entered service circa 1983 as a family of laser-guided bombs. The system consists of a guidance seeker package attached to the nose of the weapon and a wing kit at the rear to provide aerodynamic stability. The GBU-24 utilizes guidance technology that allows for a longer glide path than the earlier Paveway II family. Due to its cost relative to previous iterations, the GBU-24 is typically employed against high-value, well-defended targets.

Warhead options for the GBU-24 include the Mk. 84 general-purpose warhead, the BLU-109 penetrator, and the BLU-116 Advanced Unitary Penetrator. The system is also used in the Spanish BPG-2000 with the CPE-800 warhead. The weapon is unpowered and relies on the altitude and speed of the delivery aircraft to determine its range. Guidance is achieved by homing on pulse-coded laser energy, which can be provided by the launch aircraft, a secondary aircraft, or a ground laser designator. Following release, a thermal battery powers the guidance computer and the wings deploy to stabilize flight. If the laser signal is lost, the weapon follows a ballistic trajectory. The guidance system is designed for high precision, capable of striking hardened targets through specific points such as ventilation shafts.

The GBU-24 is operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and various NATO air forces. Compatible platforms include the F-15E, F-16, F/A-18, Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, Mirage 2000, and Rafale. It was also utilized by the F-14 Tomcat and F-111C prior to their retirement from service. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, United States Navy F-14s dropped twenty-three GBU-24 bombs. A deactivated example is on display at the Eden Camp Museum.