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The push for low-cost standoff weapons: Why air forces are turning to glide bombs

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Recent combat demonstrates that missile-heavy operations deplete modern arsenals too quickly during protracted wars. To counter this, the United States is soliciting designs for an unpowered, 500-pound class weapon under its Extended Range Attack Munition program. Meanwhile, India's defense sector is advancing several domestic projects, including turbine-boosted munitions and modification kits, to expand its precision-strike reach cost-effectively.

Key points

  • Modern air forces are prioritizing economical glide munitions to avoid the rapid depletio…: Modern air forces are prioritizing economical glide munitions to avoid the rapid depletion of expensive standoff missile stockpiles.
  • American procurement is balancing existing precision kits with newly requested unpowered…: American procurement is balancing existing precision kits with newly requested unpowered and powered munitions tailored for prolonged operations.
  • India is bolstering its domestic defense base by developing multiple heavy glide bombs al…: India is bolstering its domestic defense base by developing multiple heavy glide bombs alongside private-sector standoff offerings.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

In an era of prolonged, contactless kinetic conflicts, air forces are looking for cheaper ways to hit targets from a distance. Missiles do the job well, but prolonged conflicts in Ukraine and west Asia have shown how quickly the cost of a missile-led campaign mounts. That is the thinking behind the US Air Force's latest move to explore a new unpowered glide bomb under its Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) programme.

The US air force life cycle management center's stand-in strike division has issued a request for information on what it calls ERAM Glide, along with additional powered options. The proposed weapon would be in the 500-pound class, or about 250kg, with a warhead of roughly 50kg of explosives designed for blast fragmentation and limited penetration. The requirement calls for a glide ratio of at least 10:1, with a target of 15:1. A 15:1 ratio means the bomb travels 15 units horizontally for every unit it drops, though the actual range depends on the aircraft's speed and release altitude, and the Air Force has not given a figure. The service…

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