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GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions
Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Tyler Caswell · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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GBU-38JointDirectAttackMunitions

Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB) · United States · 1964
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GBU-38JointDirectAttackMunitions

GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions
GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Tyler Caswell · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Accuracy
85
Lethality
75
Moving-Target Capability
60
Stand-Off Range
70
Versatility
80
Reliability
90
Platform Compatibility
95
All-Weather Capability
50
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin United States
CategoryLaser-Guided Bombs (LGB)
EraCold War
In service1964
Operators27 countries
Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
77
Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB) MASS Rating
2/9
Cold War
3/18
All-Time
Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB) · 10 axes scored
Accuracy
85
Lethality
75
Moving-Target Capability
60
Stand-Off Range
70
Versatility
80
Reliability
90
Platform Compatibility
95
All-Weather Capability
50
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ 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
Production
1964–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LASER-GUIDED BOMBS (LGB) · COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
87
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
77
laser-guided bombs (lgb) category
ⓘ 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
▣Warhead & Effect6MOD.6
◇Delivery4MOD.4
◆Platform4MOD.4
▤Warhead Detail1MOD.1
  • Detonation Mechanism / Fuzeproximity or impact
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1964Production started
  2. 2004Entered service
62
years in service
27
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB) entry →