Let the bombs hit the floor

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The B-52 airframe has undergone many changes since its entrance into the service in 1955. One of the aircraft's most significant enhancements is its ability to put bombs on target.

The B-52H Stratofortress will be receiving a new targeting system called the Sniper pod in May of 2013. Until then, the Air Force will continue to use its current targeting system, the LITENING II.

"The Sniper pod and the Litening pod both have the same capabilities," said Master Sgt. Eric Sears, 2nd Maintenance Group wing avionics manager. "They both have forward looking infrared systems so aircrews can see at night and hours of darkness. They are also equipped with a CCD camera so aircrews can switch to provide good daytime targeting visuals."

With targeting pods, B-52s are capable of dropping laser guided bombs on fixed and moving targets without the aid of another aircraft, according to Maj. Gavin Berne, 53rd Test Management Group Detachment 1 commander.

"Flying at 30,000 feet, the naked eye can't see the difference between units on the ground, but with the targeting pod I can identify whether a tank is a friendly or an enemy tank," he said. "I can identify and designate a target for laser guided bombs, but without a targeting pod, I would have to rely on someone else to do that for me."

To verify targets, both pods are capable of communicating with ground troops and operation centers.

"The pods have the capability of doing infrared markers where you can send infrared energy to spotlight the ground at night time so troops with night vision goggles can see it for better target acquisition," said Berne. "I can put that spotlight on the ground and the controller can then tell me where to move the targeting pod for target confirmation."

Another communication tool used for target verification is video transmitting.

"We can share video with the operators on the ground so they can view videos from the aircraft," said Sears. "Then we make sure that it is the correct one and put bombs on target."

Though both pods are very similar in their capabilities, the Sniper pod does have a few more advantages than the current pod in use.

"It has better visuals for better target acquisitions from further ranges," said Berne.

According to Sears, the Sniper pod is capable of trouble-shooting itself, making it easier for maintenance Airmen to find and fix problems with the targeting pod.

Other than the slight advantages, the pod switch is happening due to a change in software for the B-52.

"The new software for the B-52 will not be compatible with the Litening pods, due to upgrades the pods will be receiving," said Berne. "To avoid delaying fielding by reprogramming the software, the decision was made to cut the Litening capability out of the upcoming software program and focus soley on Sniper."

Without targeting pods, the B-52 would have to rely on other aircraft or older methods of bombing like carpet bombing said Sears.

"Without the pods we are basically a 'bomb on coordinate' only bomber," said Berne. "We would receive and type coordinates into the system and let the bomb fall where it falls."