GBU-44/B Viper Strike
Summary
| Category | Glide Bomb |
| Sub-type | Laser-guided glide bomb |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| Status | Retired |
| Year of service | 2007 |
Technical specifications
| Warhead | HEAT |
| Warhead weight | 1 kg (2 lb) |
| Guidance | GPS-midcourse/terminal laser homing |
| Diameter | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Span | 900 mm (35.4 in) |
| Length | 900 mm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 20 kg (44 lb) |
| CEP | 1 m |
| Range | 10 km (6 mi) |
GBU-44/B Viper Strike scale diagram
Operators
Carried by
Description
The GBU-44/B Viper Strike is a GPS-aided laser-guided glide bomb developed as a variant of the BAT munition. Testing of the system began in 2003.
Guidance is facilitated through GPS midcourse navigation and terminal laser homing, achieving a circular error probable of less than one meter. The munition is equipped with a High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead. It operates as a glide weapon, following an aerodynamic profile to reach targets after release from the host platform.
The United States operates the GBU-44/B, which entered service in 2007. The first combat use of the weapon occurred in September 2007. Deployed platforms include the MQ-5 Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle, the KC-130J, and the AC-130W gunship. The system has since been retired from service with the United States Special Operations Command.