September 7, 2007: The U.S.
Navy has begun using a LCDB (Low Collateral Damage Bomb) in Iraq. This is
basically a 500 pound JDAM (GPS guided smart bomb) with 89 percent of the
explosives removed, and replaced with non-explosive material (so the bombs
flight characteristics remain the same.) The remaining 30 pounds of explosives
give the bomb a much smaller bang, and thus less chance of nearby civilians
getting hurt. Thus the LCDB has a bang that is closer to that of a 155mm
artillery shell. What's interesting about that is the U.S. Army is currently
using GPS guided Excalibur 155mm "smart shells" in Iraq. But Excalibur costs
twice as much as an LCDB. So does the new air force SBD (250 pound Small
Diameter Bomb).
The concept of the LCDB is not
new. During the 1990s, the U.S. Air Force replaced all the 416 pounds of
explosives (with concrete) in thousand pound laser guided bombs used against
Iraqi anti-aircraft guns and missiles. This was because Saddam ordered his
anti-aircraft weapons placed inside densely packed residential areas, in the
hope that any American or British aircraft
responding to fire from his anti-aircraft weapons, would also kill lots
of civilians. That would make for a great photo op, as Saddam was trying to
turn himself into a victim of American and British aggression. Dead civilians
helped a lot. Concrete smart bombs took out the anti-aircraft weapons, but
rarely hurt any nearby civilians. The LCDB is used against targets in
buildings, or out in the open, who need at least a little bang, and bomb
fragments, to take out the bad guys.
