Lockheed Martin has successfully completed two flight tests of its new Dual Mode Plus laser guided bomb (LGB) at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, California, US.

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During the tests, two Mk-82 (500lb) inert warheads fitted with the Dual Mode Plus guidance kits were launched from an F/A-18 Super Hornet.

Following the release, the warheads successfully impacted the designated fixed targets while fulfilling operational performance requirements.

"Lockheed Martin’s Dual Mode Plus benefits from the reliability and affordability of the Paveway II Plus LGB system."

The tests also demonstrated the operation of the new linear optics, GPS / inertial navigation system (INS) guidance subsystem and the control actuation system.

Lockheed Martin missiles and fire control precision guided systems director Joe Serra said: “Lockheed Martin’s Dual Mode Plus benefits from the reliability and affordability of the Paveway II Plus LGB system while integrating a GPS/INS, all-weather moving target capability.

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“This combination offers a precise and affordable direct attack weapon system to the US and its allies.”

The Dual Mode Plus maintains the existing physical dimensions of Lockheed’s Paveway II Plus laser guided bomb (LGB) to offer a low-cost, all-weather direct attack capability for the US Navy.

The precision-guided munition not only is effective against fixed, relocatable and moving targets, but also improves mission effectiveness by providing precision strike capabilities in all-weather conditions at extended standoff ranges.

So far, Lockheed has delivered more than 150,000 training rounds, more than 75,000 Paveway II LGB kits and 7,000 dual-mode systems to the US Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and 23 international customers.

Image: Mk-82 warheads fitted with Dual Mode Plus kits. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

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