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337th TES adds to B-1 arsenal

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron successfully tested the compatibility of a BLU-129 with a B-1 bomber Jan. 27, at the Utah Test and Training Range, Utah.

The BLU-129 is a 500-pound guided bomb with a composite warhead designed to destroy targets while causing the least amount of collateral damage.

"The weapon itself has already been validated," said Maj. Thomas Bryant, 337th TES. "The goal of this test was to verify if a B-1's software would be compatible with the weapon. We wanted to compare the blast effects between our 500-pound GBU-38 with a metal body as opposed to the BLU-129's carbon fiber body."

Using high-speed cameras, officials were able to see the differences in target destruction and blast effects between the two munitions.

"Successfully accomplishing this test proves the B-1 is fully capable to employ this weapon," added Bryant. "In today's fight, precision and accuracy are everything. Being able to take out a target while minimizing collateral damage gives combatant commanders a wide range of flexibility."

Furthermore, the warhead matches the shape and mass properties of a MK-82. Therefore, it integrates perfectly with the precision guidance kits for the aircraft, making the B-1 a platform of choice for employing this weapon.

"The B-1 is a choice war-fighting platform considering it can carry multiple weapons, each with specific capabilities, and deploy those weapons at a moment's notice," Bryant said. "The adaptation of the BLU-129, along with the sniper pod, will only increase the combat capability of a B-1."

Also, the BLU-129 can be loaded on the B-1 with other weapons, giving the aircrew much greater flexibility during combat missions.

"If an aircrew needs to engage an enemy in an urban enviroment as well as destroy an entire enemy compound within a single sortie, only a select number of Air Force aircraft have that ability, with the B-1 bomber at the top of that list," commented Bryant.

THe 337th is a geographically separated unit of the 53rd Wing, headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.