February 13, 2008: France is spending
$22 million to upgrade its U.S. made Paveway II laser guided smart bombs to
dual mode (able to use laser or GPS guidance). France has been using the
Paveway II on its Mirage 2000D fighter-bombers for several years. While laser
guidance is the most accurate (able to hit within a few meters of the aim
point), the laser guidance often fails in rain or mist (which disperses the
laser light beam). Adding GPS guidance (which will land within ten meters of
the aim point) provides a backup, or alternative, for the laser guidance. France
usually mounts the Paveway guidance kits on 500 pound bombs. French warplanes
have been using the American smart bombs in Afghanistan. The first one was
dropped on April 1st, 2007.
