Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the laser-guided bombs (lgb) category.
01 / Overview
GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LASER-GUIDED BOMBS (LGB) · COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
87
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the laser-guided bombs (lgb) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Munition Typeguided bomb
- Service Entry Year1997
- Total Weight272 kg
- Length2.34 m
- Diameter0.273 mm
- In ServiceYes
◈Guidance6MOD.6
- GuidedYes
- Guidance Typesemi-active laser + GPS/INS
- GPS / INS GuidanceYes
- Laser GuidanceYes
- Imaging InfraredNo
- Circular Error Probable (CEP)1 m
▣Warhead & Effect6MOD.6
- Warhead Typeblast-fragmentation
- Explosive Filler Weight89 kg
- Filler TypeComp B
- Penetrator / Bunker-BusterNo
- Cluster MunitionNo
- Thermobaric / Fuel-AirNo
◇Delivery4MOD.4
- Stand-OffYes
- Glide Range11 km
- Wing Kit (glide)Yes
- Release Speed1,100 km/h
◆Platform4MOD.4
- Compatible AircraftF-15E, F-16, F/A-18, B-1B, B-2, B-52, A-10, AV-8B, F-22, F-35
- Internal CarriageNo
- Low-Drag BodyYes
- Fin / Tail Typefolding
▤Warhead Detail1MOD.1
- Detonation Mechanism / Fuzeproximity or impact
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1964Production started
- 2004Entered service
62
years in service
27
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries27country
05 / MASS Score
LASER-GUIDED BOMBS (LGB) RANKING Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
3LASER-GUIDED BOMBS (LGB)2COLD WAR · LASER-GUIDED BOMBS (LGB)439UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS2PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LASER-GUIDED BOMBS (LGB)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLaser-Guided Bombs (LGB)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A navigation system combining Global Positioning System (GPS) for absolute positioning and Inertial Navigation System (INS) for dead reckoning, providing continuous and accurate location and orientation data.
A guided bomb is a munition that uses a guidance system to modify its flight path in real-time to ensure accuracy.
Guidance method where a target is illuminated by a laser, and a weapon's seeker homes in on the reflected beam to achieve precision strikes.
A streamlined design reducing air resistance to increase the speed or accuracy of a Gravity Bomb.
A stand-off capability refers to the ability of a weapon to be deployed at a distance from the target, typically to enhance aircraft or launch platform survivability.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources