GBU-8
The GBU-8 Homing Bomb System (HOBOS) is a 2000 lb electro-optical guided bomb developed for the United States Air Force.
Also recorded as GBU-8 HOBOS · Raytheon HOBOS · Homing Bomb System
GBU-8
Sturmvogel 66 · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- GBU-8 Homing Bomb System (HOBOS)
- Field
- glide bomb · precision-guided munition
- Region
- United States
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Documentary summary
The GBU-8 Homing Bomb System (HOBOS) is a 2000 lb electro-optical guided bomb developed for the United States Air Force.
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — GBU-8 Homing Bomb System (HOBOS) • Origin — United States • Type — Electro-optical guided bomb • Is Explosive — yes • Is Missile — yes • Used By — United States • Wars — *Vietnam War • Yom Kippur War • 1982 Lebanon War • Manufacturer — Rockwell • Weight — approx. 2100 lb • Length — 11 ft • Diameter — 18 in • Wingspan — 3 ft • Guidance — Electro-optical • Accuracy — 20 ft CEP • Range — 1650 to 26750 yards, depending on launch altitude
History
History
Development of the Homing Bomb System (HOBOS) by Rockwell began in 1967 on the request of the U.S. Air Force in response to shortcomings of the AGM-62 Walleye during the Vietnam War. The payload of the 2000 lb Mk. 84 bomb was considered to be more effective than the smaller explosive warhead found on the Walleye, which was designed by the Navy for anti-ship use. The system was deployed to USAF units at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in January 1969 and was subsequently used in combat for the first time in February 1969. The HOBOS system was also used in Operation Linebacker with the 8th TFW once bombing resumed in April 1972. On 27 April 1972, the HOBOS guided bomb was used against the Thanh Hóa Bridge, with five bombs expended. In the strike against the Paul Doumer Bridge on 10 May 1972, seven HOBOS bombs and 22 laser-guided bombs were used. Development of the basic HOBOS concept continued after the Vietnam War with the GBU-15, which built off of the basic concepts introduced with the GBU-8.
Variants
Variants
• KMU-353A/B: Contrast-seeker guidance kit for 2000 lb Mk. 84 bomb • KMU-359/B: Infrared guidance section • KMU-390/B: Contrast-seeker guidance kit for 3000 lb M118 bomb
Users
Users
• Israel Israeli Air Force • United States United States Air Force
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
- United States
Description
The GBU-8 consists of a contrast seeker in the nose section, four cruciform tailfins with flying surfaces for control, strakes connecting the tailfins with the nose section, and a 2000 lb Mk. 84 low-drag general-purpose bomb. The same type of guidance kit was also attached to a 3000 lb Mark 118 bomb, where it was designated GBU-9.
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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