US integrates cruise bombs into Bahraini F-16s
The US Navy Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has announced that Raytheon will be awarded a contract to integrate JSOW AGM-154C Block III aerial bombs into Bahrain's F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft.
Here's What We Know
Insider journalist Colby Badhwar noted that these bombs are currently integrated only on older versions of the F-16 Block 40/50. The contract will allow future F-16 Block 70 operators, such as Morocco and Taiwan, to simplify the integration process of this weapon.
Bahrain was authorised to purchase 40 JSOWs in 2019 as part of a larger ammunition procurement for its F-16s.
A Greek F-16 fighter jet carrying AGM-154 JSOW bombs. Illustration: militaryarms
The AGM-154 is a 500kg American precision-guided aerial bomb equipped with aerodynamic wings to correct the flight path and increase the range to 130km when dropped from an altitude of 8km. At low altitudes, the range is limited to 20-30 km.
The basic version of the bomb uses a GPS-corrected inertial guidance system, while the AGM-154C is equipped with an additional infrared homing head. It has a 225kg BROACH warhead, similar to the one used in the Storm Shadow/SCALP EG cruise missile.
The F-16 can carry up to four JSOWs on wing pylons. They are prepared and programmed in minutes before departure.
Source: X
