United States General Accounting Office

GAO Report to Congressional Committees

June 1995 WEAPONS

ACQUISITION

Precision Guided

Munitions in Inventory,

Production, and

Development

GAO/NSIAD-95-95

GAO United States

General Accounting Office

Washington, D.C. 20548

National Security and

International Affairs Division

B-260458 

June 23, 1995

Congressional Committees

The military services are spending billions of dollars to acquire new and

improved munitions whose technical sophistication allows guidance

corrections during their flight to the target. These weapons are referred to

as precision guided munitions (PGM). We reviewed Air Force, Navy, and

Army munitions programs in inventory, production, and development that

could be defined as using precision guidance to attack surface targets.1

Our objectives were to determine (1) the costs and quantities planned for

the PGMs, (2) the services rationale for initiating PGM development

programs, (3) options available to the services to attack surface targets

with PGMs, and (4) the extent to which the services are jointly developing

and procuring PGMs. We conducted this work under our basic legislative

responsibilities and plan to use this baseline report in planning future

work on Defense-wide issues affecting the acquisition and effectiveness of

PGMs. We are addressing the report to you because we believe it will be of

interest to your committees.

Background PGMs employ various guidance methods to enhance the probability of

hitting the target. These include target location information from a human

designator, global positioning system (GPS) satellites, an inertial navigation

system, a terminal seeker on the munition, or a combination of these

sources. Since PGMs can correct errors in flight, the services expect to

need fewer rounds to achieve the same or higher probabilities of kill as

unguided weapons. Additionally, the services expect PGM accuracy and

lethality to reduce the number of launch platforms and soldiers required to

counter specific targets. PGMs that can be launched outside the targets’

defenses (i.e., with a standoff capability) could enhance the survivability

of the launch platforms and personnel. Some PGMs, such as the High-Speed

Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), are optimized for a particular target (radar

emitters); others, such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), can be

used against a wider variety of targets, such as buildings and tanks.

In selecting munitions for review, we considered only munitions that

(1) are surface-to-surface, indirect fire weapons or are air-to-surface

weapons and (2) have a nominal standoff from their launching platform of

about 5 nautical miles or more. The munitions selected are not the total

1

Surface PGM targets can be classified as either mobile, fixed, or on the surface of the sea. Targets

may be further classified according to whether or not they are specially protected with armor or

concrete or emit heat, light, or radar signatures.

Page 1 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
B-260458 

universe of precision guided munitions but are those that, in our judgment,

represented the substantial majority of the services’ PGM investment and

capability.

Results in Brief The military services have bought or are developing for future

procurement 33 PGM types with over 300,000 individual precision

munitions to attack surface targets. The services estimate that when

planned development and procurement are complete, the United States

will have invested about $58.6 billion (then-year dollars) in the 33 PGM

types. The 19 munition types in inventory and production provide about

130,422 individual munitions at a cost of about $30.4 billion. They are

carried on Air Force bombers and fighters and on Navy fixed-wing aircraft,

helicopters, and ships. The 14 munition types in development have a

combined estimated acquisition cost of about $28.2 billion and quantities

of about 174,446. In addition to the Air Force and Navy platforms cited

above, some of these munitions are to be launched from Army platforms,

such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System launcher. The developmental

munitions are expected to reach first capability (i.e., when the services

plan to begin fielding them) between 1996 and 2004. Figure 1 shows the

allocation of quantities by service in inventory, production, and

development.

Page 2 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
B-260458 

Figure 1: Munitions Quantities by

Service

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

Air Force

Navy

Army

Inventory Production Development

86,804 5,757 74,128

33,689 4,172 23,800

0 0 76,518

The services have initiated PGM development programs both to increase

the number of PGMs and to gain additional capability through technical

improvements, such as the addition of guidance information from GPS

satellites, autonomous target acquisition, and standoff range. For example,

the JDAM, a joint development by the Air Force and the Navy, is expected to

provide the services with an additional 74,000 PGMs. JDAM will incorporate

GPS technology with existing 1,000 and 2,000 pound dumb bombs to allow

the munitions to guide themselves to the target area. Similarly, the Army

Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with the Brilliant Antiarmor Submunition

(BAT) is expected to provide Army forces with 1,806 missiles for attacking

targets in the deep battle arena. The missile will use GPS technology to

locate the target area while the submunitions will use acoustic, infrared

and millimeter wave technology to locate specific targets.

The services have also acquired PGMs to provide an interim capability. As

an illustration, Navy and Air Force officials stated they originally planned

only small procurements of AGM-142 (Have Nap), the Standoff Land Attack

Page 3 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
B-260458 

Missile (SLAM), and the SLAM-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) because they

were interim systems to the Tri-Service Standoff Attack Missile (TSSAM).

When procurement and development are complete, the Air Force and the

Navy estimate they will have spent about $1.9 billion and will have 897

munitions—130 AGM-142s, 700 SLAM-ERs, and 67 SLAMs.2

 According to a Navy

official, the SLAM and SLAM-ER could also be deployed on Air Force aircraft

that use the Harpoon missile. The Air Force currently uses the Harpoon on

its B-52 bombers; therefore, it may be possible to integrate SLAM and

SLAM-ER on Air Force bombers. However, the Air Force did not buy any of

the SLAM missiles nor according to Navy and Air Force officials does it plan

to purchase the SLAM-ER.

The 33 PGM types provide the services with multiple options for countering

targets in the five air-to-surface and surface-to-surface target classes, as

shown in table 1. The total for all target classes exceeds 33 because 26 of

the 33 PGM types have capabilities in more than one target class.

Table 1: Number of PGM Options by Target Class for Munitions in Inventory, Production, and Development

Number of PGM options

Target class Examples of targets Inventory Production Development Total

Mobile hard Tanks, artillery, armored

personnel carriers

6 1 8 15

Mobile soft Trucks, vans, mobile missile

launchers, unprotected

personnel, motorized transport

vehicles

2 3 8 13

Fixed hard Bridges, port facilities, hardened

aircraft shelters, underground

command posts, bunkers

7 5 6 18

Fixed soft Factories and manufacturing

sites, general purpose buildings,

roads, rail yards

9 4 9 22

Maritime surface Ships at sea 5 2 5 12

The Navy and the Air Force have jointly procured PGMs and are currently

participating in joint development programs. For example, the Navy and

the Air Force have bought variants of the Air Force-developed Maverick

and the Guided Bomb Units (GBU) 10, 12, and 24. The Air Force bought

both the Navy-developed HARM and Harpoon missile. We note that the Air

Force and the Navy are participating in two congressionally directed joint

developments—JDAM and the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW). We also

2

The quantities for these or other PGMs may increase because the TSSAM program is being terminated

due to significant development difficulties and growth in its expected unit cost.

Page 4 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
B-260458 

observe, however, that even though JDAM and JSOW are joint programs, the

Navy does not plan to buy the JDAM product improvement nor does the Air

Force plan to buy the JSOW/Unitary variant. Office of the Secretary of

Defense and military service officials informed us that current budgetary

constraints have encouraged them to more fully consider joint

development and procurement.

Appendix I provides details of acquisition cost, production unit cost, and

quantities for the 33 PGM types; the PGM types planned for various

platforms; and the specific munition options for countering targets in the

five surface target classes. Appendix II provides a brief description of the

33 munitions and program data.

Agency Comments

and Our Evaluation

In commenting on a draft of this report, the Department of Defense stated

that because the report does not contain findings, conclusions, or

recommendations, it was not taking a position on the report but did note

the report’s contribution to the overall database. The Department

commented that the scope of the report was broad, it addresses weapons

programs from the Vietnam War into the 21st century, and during this

period budgets, priorities, missions, and threats all have seen change.

Therefore, any conclusions drawn by comparison of various programs, to

be valid, would have to be done carefully to reflect changing conditions.

We agree that the development and production of the 33 PGM types extend

over a long period of time and changes have occurred since some of the

munitions in inventory were initially acquired. However, all of the PGM

types in inventory that we reviewed are still in the active inventory. The

first capability dates are included in the program data in appendix II. The

Department’s comments are included in appendix IV.

Appendix III sets forth the scope and methodology of our work. We are

sending copies of this report to the Secretaries of Defense, the Army, the

Navy, and the Air Force; and the Director, Office of Management and

Budget. We will also make copies available to others upon request.

Page 5 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
B-260458 

Please contact me at (202) 512-4841 if you or your staff have any questions

concerning this report. Major contributors to this report are listed in

appendix V.

Louis J. Rodrigues

Director, Systems Development

 and Production Issues

Page 6 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
B-260458 

List of Committees

The Honorable Strom Thurmond

Chairman

The Honorable Sam Nunn

Ranking Minority Member

Committee on Armed Services

United States Senate

The Honorable Ted Stevens

Chairman

The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye

Ranking Minority Member

Subcommittee on Defense

Committee on Appropriations

United States Senate

The Honorable Floyd D. Spence

Chairman

The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums

Ranking Minority Member

Committee on National Security

House of Representatives

The Honorable C.W. Bill Young

Chairman

The Honorable John P. Murtha

Ranking Minority Member

Subcommittee on National Security

Committee on Appropriations

House of Representatives

Page 7 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Contents

Letter 1

Appendix I 

Precision Guided

Munitions Acquisition

12

PGM Quantities and Cost 12

PGM Target Options 15

Appendix II 

Precision Guided

Munitions Fact Sheets

17

Air-to-Ground Guided Missile-130 18

Air-to-Ground Guided Missile-142 19

Army Tactical Missile System 20

Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile 23

Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided Missile 24

Global Positioning System Aided Munition 25

Guided Bomb Unit-10 26

Guided Bomb Unit-12 27

Guided Bomb Unit-15 28

Guided Bomb Unit-24 29

Guided Bomb Unit-27 30

Guided Bomb Unit-28 31

High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile 32

Harpoon 33

Joint Direct Attack Munition 34

Joint Standoff Weapon 36

Maverick 40

Penguin 42

Sense and Destroy Armor Munition 43

Sensor Fuzed Weapon 44

Standoff Land Attack Missile 45

Tomahawk 47

Walleye 50

Appendix III 

Scope and

Methodology

51

Page 8 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Contents

Appendix IV 

Comments From the

Department of

Defense

53

Appendix II 

Major Contributors to

This Report

55

Tables Table 1: Number of PGM Options by Target Class for Munitions in

Inventory, Production, and Development

4

Table I.1: Precision Guided Munitions: Acquisition Cost,

Production Unit Cost, and Quantities

12

Table I.2: Platforms and Their PGM Types 14

Table I.3: Munition Options by Target Classes 16

Figure Figure 1: Munitions Quantities by Service 3

Page 9 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Contents

Abbreviations

AGM Air-to-ground Guided Missile

APAM Anti-personnel, anti-materiel

ATACMS Army Tactical Missile System

BAT Brilliant Anti-Armor Submunition

CALCM Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile

EFOG-M Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided Missile

GAM Global Positioning System Aided Munition

GBU Guided Bomb Unit

GPS Global Positioning System

HARM High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile

INS Inertial Navigation System

JDAM Joint Direct Attack Missile

JSOW Joint Standoff Weapon

MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System

OSD Office of the Secretary of Defense

P3I Preplanned product improvement

PGM precision guided munition

SADARM Sense and Destroy Armor Munition

SFW Sensor Fuzed Weapon

SLAM Standoff Land Attack Missile

SLAM-ER SLAM-Expanded Response

TASM Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile

TBIP Tomahawk Baseline Improvement Program

TLAM Tomahawk Land Attack Missile

TSSAM Tri-Service Standoff Attack Missile

Page 10 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Page 11 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix I 

Precision Guided Munitions Acquisition

The services have bought or plan to develop and buy over 300,000

individual munitions to defeat surface targets. The 33 precision guided

munition (PGM) types we reviewed provide the services with multiple

options for defeating targets in each of five target classes—mobile hard,

mobile soft, fixed hard, fixed soft, and maritime surface. The services have

initiated PGM development programs, both to increase the number of PGMs

and to gain additional capability through technological improvements.

PGM Quantities and

Cost

According to Department of Defense estimates, the 33 PGM types included

in our review represent an investment of about $58.6 billion in then-year

dollars. Table I.1 provides acquisition cost, production unit cost, and

quantities for the munitions programs in our evaluation and table I.2

provides platform information.

Table I.1: Precision Guided Munitions: Acquisition Cost, Production Unit Cost, and Quantities

Then-year dollars

Systems Service

Acquisition

cost (dollars

in millions)

Production

unit cost Quantity

Systems in inventory

Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM) Air Force a a a

Guided Bomb Unit-10 (GBU-10) Air Force and Navy $271.34b $23,700 11,329

Guided Bomb Unit-12 (GBU-12) Air Force and Navy 620.23b 19,000 32,636

Guided Bomb Unit-15 (GBU-15) Air Force 774.50 207,651 2,823

Guided Bomb Unit-24 (GBU-24) Air Force and Navy 729.14b 55,600 13,114

Guided Bomb Unit-27 (GBU-27) Air Force 176.72b 55,000 3,213

Harpoon Navy and Air Force 3,203.00 474,609 6,073

High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Navy and Air Force 6,212.60 283,985 19,607

Maverick D/G Air Force 3,063.50 122,230 23,689

Maverick E/F Navy 653.00 152,491 4,115

Penguin Navy 241.70 1,566,000 101

Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM) Navy 1,860.80 2,553,000 593

Walleye Navy 372.00 92,188 3,200

Subtotal 18,178.53 120,493

Systems in production

Air-to-Ground Guided Missile-130 (AGM-130) Air Force 635.96 884,279 502

Air-to Ground Guided Missile-142 (AGM-142, Have Nap) Air Force 200.70 1,020,000 130

Guided Bomb Unit-28 (GBU-28) Air Force 18.20 145,600 125

Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) Air Force 1,827.10 319,880 5,000

(continued)

Page 12 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix I 

Precision Guided Munitions Acquisition

Then-year dollars

Systems Service

Acquisition

cost (dollars

in millions)

Production

unit cost Quantity

Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) Navy 1,138.80 1,378,000 767

Tomahawk Land Attack Missile C/D (TLAM) Navy 8,426.80 2,115,000 3,405

Subtotal 12,247.56 9,929

Systems in development

Air-to-Ground Guided Missile-130C (AGM-130C) Air Force 11.50c c c

Army Tactical Missile System Block IA (ATACMS Block IA) Army 828.30 915,000 800

Army Tactical Missile System Block II/Brilliant Anti-armor

Submunition (ATACMS Block II/BAT/BAT P3I)

Army 3,979.30 2,200,000 1,206

Army Tactical Missile System Block IIA/Brilliant Anti-armor

Submunition Preplanned Product Improvement (ATACMS

Block IIA/BAT P3I)

Army 1,312.36 1,478,967 600

Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided-Missile (EFOG-M) Army 289.70c c 300c

Global Positioning System Aided Munition (GAM) Air Force 29.60 231,250 128

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Air Force and Navy 4,650.60 56,141 74,000

Joint Direct Attack Munition Product Improvement Program

(JDAM PIP)

Air Force 76.50d d 5,000d

Joint Standoff Weapon/Baseline (JSOW) Navy and Air Force 3,327.60 246,585 11,800

Joint Standoff Weapon/BLU-108 (JSOW/BLU-108) Navy and Air Force 2,033.50 429,929 4,200

Joint Standoff Weapon /Unitary (JSOW/Unitary) Navy 5,608.30 661,013 7,800

Sense and Destroy Armor Munition (SADARM) Army 2,937.40 35,063 73,612

Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response

(SLAM-ER)

Navy 550.30 511,428 700e

Tomahawk Baseline Improvement Program (TBIP) Navy 2,578.60 1,552,000 1,181e

Subtotal 28,213.56 174,446

Total $58,639.65 304,868

aCost information and quantity are classified.

bCost includes only production; development cost was not available.

cAcquisition cost information for AGM-130C and EFOG-M includes developmental cost only. The

Air Force does not plan to procure the AGM-130C and the 300 EFOG-Ms the Army plans to

acquire are part of an advanced concept technology demonstration.

dThe Air Force did not provide complete cost for the JDAM product improvement because the

seeker technology has not been decided. However the Air Force has programmed $76.5 million

through fiscal year 2001 for the program. Also, quantities for the product improvement are not

included in the total because 5,000 of the baseline JDAMs will be equipped with the terminal

seeker.

eQuantities for SLAM-ER and TBIP are not included in the total because these munitions are

improvements and remanufacture of existing SLAMs and Tomahawks.

Page 13 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix I 

Precision Guided Munitions Acquisition

Table I.2: Platforms and Their PGM Types

Platform PGM types

Air Force aircraft

B-52 AGM-142, CALCM, GBU-10, GBU-12, Harpoon, JDAM, JDAM-PIP, SFW

B-1 JDAM, JDAM-PIP, JSOW/Baseline, JSOW/BLU-108, SFW

B-2 GAM, JDAM, JDAM-PIP, SFW

F-4 HARM, Maverick

F-15 AGM-130, GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-15, GBU-24, GBU-28, JDAM, JDAM-PIP, JSOW/Baseline,

JSOW/BLU-108, Maverick, SFW

F-16 GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24, HARM, JDAM, JDAM-PIP, JSOW/ Baseline, JSOW/BLU-108, Maverick,

SFW

F-22 JDAM

F-111 AGM-130, GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-15, GBU-28, SFW

F-117 GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-27, JDAM, JDAM-PIP

A-10 GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24, Maverick, SFW

Navy aircraft

F/A-18 GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24, HARM, Harpoon, JDAM, JSOW/Baseline, JSOW/BLU-108,

JSOW/Unitary, Maverick, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Walleye

F-14 JDAM, GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24

AV-8 JDAM, JSOW/Baseline, JSOW/BLU-108, JSOW/Unitary, Maverick

A-6 GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24, HARM, Harpoon, Maverick, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Walleye

A-7 GBU-10, GBU-12, Maverick

P-3 Harpoon, JDAM, JSOW/Baseline, JSOW/BLU-108, JSOW/Unitary, Maverick

S-3 Harpoon, JDAM, JSOW/Baseline, JSOW/BLU-108, JSOW/Unitary

SH-60 Penguin

Navy ships Harpoon, TASM, TLAM/C/D, TBIP

Navy submarines TASM, TLAM/C/D, TBIP

Army weapons/vehicles

155-mm Howitzer SADARM

MLRS ATACMS Block IA, ATACMS Block II/BAT/ BAT P3I, ATACMS Block IIA/BAT P3I

HMMWV EFOG-M

Page 14 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix I 

Precision Guided Munitions Acquisition

PGM Target Options The services have multiple options for countering targets in the five target

classes. In addition to having different munitions to attack the same target

classes, many munitions have capabilities against more than one target

class.

To illustrate the services’ options, the Air Force could use either the

Maverick missile or guided bomb units (GBU) 10, 12, 24, or 27—already in

inventory—to attack targets in the mobile hard target class. In addition,

the Air Force is now producing the Sensor Fuzed Weapon, which is also

used to attack armored vehicles. The Navy could use either the Maverick

missile or Walleye bomb in its inventory to attack mobile armor targets.

For additional capability to counter targets in this class, the Air Force is

developing the JDAM and its improvement and an interim munition for the

B-2, the Global Positioning System Aided Munition; the Navy is developing

the JSOW with an antiarmor submunition (BLU-108); the Army is developing

the Army Tactical Missile (ATACMS) with the Brilliant Antiarmor

Submunition (BAT) and improvements to ATACMS and BAT, the Sense and

Destroy Armor Munition (SADARM) and the Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided

Missile (EFOG-M). Table I.3 provides a summary of the services’ options by

target class.

Page 15 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix I 

Precision Guided Munitions Acquisition

Table I.3: Munition Options by Target Classes

Target class Inventory Production Development

Mobile hard Maverick

GBU-10

GBU-12

GBU-24

GBU-27

Walleye

SFW ATACMS Block II/BAT/BAT P3I

ATACMS Block IIA/BAT P3I

EFOG-M

GAM

JDAM

JDAM Product Improvement

JSOW/BLU-108

SADARM

Mobile soft Maverick

GBU-15

AGM-142

SFW

TLAM

ATACMS Block IA/APAM

ATACMS Block II/BAT/ BAT P3I

ATACMS Block IIA/BAT PI

GAM

JDAM

JDAM Product Improvement

JSOW/Baseline

JSOW/BLU-108

Fixed hard Maverick

GBU-10

GBU-12

GBU-15

GBU-24

GBU-27

Walleye

AGM-130

AGM-142

GBU-28

TLAM

SLAM

GAM

JDAM

JDAM Product Improvement

JSOW/Unitary

SLAM-ER

TBIP

Fixed soft Maverick

CALCM

GBU-10

GBU-12

GBU-15

GBU-24

GBU-27

HARM

Walleye

AGM-130

AGM-142

TLAM

SLAM

ATACMS Block IA/APAM

ATACMS Block IIA/BAT P3I

GAM

JDAM

JDAM Product Improvement

JSOW/Baseline

JSOW/Unitary

SLAM-ER

TBIP

Maritime surface Maverick

Harpoon

Penguin

TASM

Walleye

AGM-142

SLAM

GAM

JDAM

JSOW/Unitary

SLAM-ER

TBIP

Page 16 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

The fact sheets provide information about the munitions we reviewed.

They are arranged in alphabetical order. An introductory paragraph briefly

describes the munition and specific program information is provided in a

summary format. Several munitions have multiple configurations that we

combined under their common name. For example, the three Tomahawk

configurations—the Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile, the Tomahawk Land

Attack Missile, and the Tomahawk Baseline Improvement Program—are

all found in the section entitled “Tomahawk.”

Rather than listing specific targets for each munition, we have listed

generic targets described in the Conventional Munitions Master Plan.

Mobile hard targets include tanks, artillery, and armored personnel

carriers; mobile soft targets include trucks, vans, mobile missile launchers,

unprotected personnel, and motorized transport vehicles. Fixed hard

targets include bridges, port facilities, hardened aircraft shelters,

underground command posts, and bunkers; fixed soft targets include

factories and manufacturing sites, general purpose buildings, roads, and

rail yards. Maritime surface targets are ships at sea.

All development, production and total acquisition costs are in then-year

dollars. Acquisition and production unit costs are averages of the totals

reported.

Page 17 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Air-to-Ground Guided

Missile-130

The Air-to-Ground Guided Missile-130 (AGM-130) is a powered version of the

Guided Bomb Unit-15 munition. The munition allows the aircraft to remain

at a distance from the target and uses man-in-the-loop guidance with either

a television or infrared seeker and a 2,000-pound general purpose

warhead. A further improvement, AGM-130C, developed, but not produced

by the Air Force, adapts the munition to a 2,000-pound penetrating

warhead.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Production

Mission Offensive counter air, close air support/interdiction,

suppression of enemy air defenses, naval anti-surface

warfare

Targets Fixed hard, fixed soft

Platforms F-15E, F-111

First capability 1994

Guidance method TV and infrared

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles

Quantitya 502

Development costb $192.048 million

Production cost $443.908 million

Total acquisition cost $647.47 million

Acquisition unit cost $1.27 million

Production unit costa $884,279

aThe Air Force had planned to buy about 4,048 kits. However, that number was reduced to about

2,300 units and for fiscal year 1995 was further reduced to 502. The Air Force never awarded a

full-rate production contract and the production unit cost of the munition rose from an estimated

$261,500 to $884,279.

bThe cost is for the AGM-130 only. Air Force reports development cost for the AGM-130C at

$11.513 million. We did not provide a separate fact sheet for the improvement because the Air

Force did not indicate plans to extend development or procure hardware.

Page 18 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Air-to-Ground Guided

Missile-142

The Air-to-Ground Guided Missile-142 (AGM-142), also known as Have Nap,

provides the Air Force with a precision man-in-the-loop capability for the

B-52H to attack high value, fixed targets from standoff ranges. The

munition’s data link provides for single aircraft operation or the munition’s

guidance may be turned over to a second aircraft allowing the first aircraft

to leave the area. The Israeli-developed AGM-142 can be configured with a

750-pound blast fragmentation or a 770-pound penetration warhead. The

munition uses either a television or imaging infrared seeker.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Production

Missions Offensive counterair, interdiction, suppression enemy air

defense, naval anti-surface warfare

Targets Mobile soft, fixed hard, fixed soft, maritime surface

Platforms B-52H

First capability 1992

Guidance method Television and imaging infrared (man-in-the-loop)

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles

Quantity 130

Development cost $67.6 million

Production cost $133.1 million

Total acquisition cost $200.7 million

Acquisition unit cost $1.54 million

Production unit cost $1.02 million

Page 19 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Army Tactical Missile

System

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is the Army’s deep fire system

to provide a nearly all-weather, day or night, precision strike capability.

The Army is developing three ATACMS variants that use the Global

Positioning System (GPS). Another variant is already in production but

does not have GPS guidance. Each variant in development will deploy

submunitions. ATACMS is launched from the Multiple Launch Rocket

System (MLRS) M270 launcher.

ATACMS Block IA/

Anti-Personnel,

Anti-Materiel

This version of the ATACMS system provides an extended range capability

by reducing the number of anti-personnel/anti-materiel submunitions from

approximately 900 to approximately 275 and incorporating GPS

components to aid the Inertial Navigation System (INS).

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Development

Mission Interdiction

Targets Mobile soft, fixed soft

Platform MLRS M270 launcher

First capability 1998

Guidance method GPS/INS

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles

Quantity 800

Development cost $96.3 million

Production cost $732.0 million

Total acquisition cost $828.3 million

Acquisition unit cost $1.04 million

Production unit cost $915,000

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ATACMS Block II/Brilliant

Antiarmor Submunition

This version of the ATACMS provides an anti-armor capability for the missile

by integrating 13 Brilliant Antiarmor submunitions (BAT) into the missile

warhead. BAT is a brilliant, self-guided, anti-armor, top attack submunition

with acoustic and infrared seekers working together to acquire, track, and

home on operating armored vehicles. BAT submunitions can be carried

deep into enemy territory by the delivery vehicle, then dispersed over

numerous targets to attack and destroy them. About 6,000 BATs are

expected to be the basic variant with acoustic and infrared sensors. The

remainder are expected to have an improved version with acoustic,

infrared, and millimeter wave sensors.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Development

Mission Control and shape the battlefield for the ground

commander through deep anti-armor fires that delay,

disrupt, and destroy moving targets.

Targets Mobile hard, mobile soft

Platform MLRS M270 launcher

First capability 2001

Guidance method Missile—GPS/INS; submunition—acoustic and infrared or

acoustic, infrared, and millimeter wave sensors

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles

Quantity Missiles—1,206; submunitions—16,170

Development cost $1,327.5 million

Production cost $2,651.8 million

Total acquisition cost $3,979.3 million

Acquisition unit cost $3.3 million

Production unit cost $2.2 million

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ATACMS Block IIA/

Brilliant Antiarmor

Submunition Product

Improvement

This ATACMS Block IIA configuration will deliver a reduced payload of six

improved BAT submunitions to an extended range. The Army plans to add a

millimeter wave capability to the seeker assembly and improve the

submunition warhead for attack of cold, stationary tanks and targets such

as mobile missile launchers. The improvement program is being

conducted concurrently with the engineering and manufacturing

development program for the basic variant.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Development

Mission Interdiction

Targets Fixed soft, mobile hard, mobile soft

Platform MLRS M270 launcher

First capability 2003

Guidance method Missile—GPS/INS; submunition—acoustic, imaging

infrared, millimeter wave

Range Greater than 60 nautical miles

Quantity Missiles—600; submunitions—3,732

Development cost $425.0 million

Production cost $887.4 million

Total acquisition cost $1,312.4 million

Acquisition unit cost $2.19 million

Production unit cost $1.48 million

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Conventional

Air-Launched Cruise

Missile

The Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM) is deployed on the

B-52H and was used during Operation Desert Storm. It provides the Air

Force with a capability for attack of soft targets while the aircraft remains

outside of threat defenses. The missile uses a conventional blast

fragmentation warhead.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Inventory

Mission Offensive counterair, interdiction, suppression of enemy

air defense

Targets Fixed soft

Platform B-52H

First capability 1987

Guidance methoda

Range Greater than 350 nautical miles

Circular error probablea

Quantitya

Development costa

Production costa

Total acquisition costa

Acquisition unit costa

Production unit costa

aThis information is classified.

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Enhanced Fiber Optic

Guided Missile

The Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided Missile (EFOG-M) system includes a

gunner’s station, launcher, and the tactical missile. The system uses a fiber

optic data link that allows a human to view what the missile seeker sees

and provide guidance commands. The missile launcher is to be mounted

on a heavy high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle. EFOG-M is being

developed as an advanced concept technology demonstration.

Accordingly, the Army has no plans to produce the system once

development is completed. A contract for the development and purchase

of the demonstration equipment was awarded in May 1995. Following the

demonstration program, the remaining equipment is to be turned over to

an Army unit for a 2-year user evaluation.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Development

Mission To engage and defeat targets that may be masked from

line-of-sight direct fire weapons.

Targets Mobile hard

Platform Heavy high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle

First capability 1999-2000 (2-year user evaluation)

Guidance method GPS/INS; fiber optic man-in-the-loop

Range 15 kilometers

Circular error probable 0.5 meters

Quantity 300 missiles; 16 ground units

Development cost $289.7 million

Production cost No production planned

Total acquisition cost $289.7 million

Acquisition unit cost Not applicable

Production unit cost Not applicable

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Global Positioning

System Aided

Munition

The Global Positioning System Aided Munition (GAM) is being developed

by the Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corporation as an interim

precision munition for the B-2. The munition is to be replaced on the B-2

by the Joint Direct Attack Munition. GAM is a tail kit that will fit on the

2,000-pound general purpose bomb. GAM uses GPS guidance to more

accurately guide to target locations.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Development

Mission Close air support, air interdiction, counterair, airborne

strike, suppression of enemy air defense

Targets Mobile hard, mobile soft, fixed hard, fixed soft, maritime

surface

Platforms B-2

First capability 1996

Guidance method GPS/INS

Range Greater than 5 nautical miles

Circular error probable 12-18 meters

Quantity 128

Development cost Munition development cost is included with development

of the GPS Aided Targeting System

Production cost $29.6 million

Total acquisition cost $29.6 million

Acquisition unit cost $231,250

Production unit cost $231,250

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Guided Bomb Unit-10 The Guided Bomb Unit-10 (GBU-10) utilizes the 2,000-pound general

purpose or penetrating warhead. The operator illuminates a target with a

laser designator and then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy

reflected from the target. The munition was used during Operation Desert

Storm, and, according to the Air Force, hit 78 percent of its targets.

Program Data

Service Air Force, Navy

Program status Inventory

Mission Air interdiction

Targets Mobile hard, fixed soft, fixed hard

Platforms A-7, A-10, B-52, F-111, F-117, F-15E, F-16 , F/A-18 C/D,

A-6, F-14

First capability 1976

Guidance method Laser (man-in-the-loop)

Range 8 nautical miles

Circular error probable 9 meters

Quantity Air Force: 10,145; Navy: 1,184

Development costa

Production cost Air Force: $240.436 million; Navy: $30.902 million

Total acquisition cost Not available

Acquisition unit cost Not available

Production unit cost Air Force: $23,700 ; Navy: $26,100

aAir Force officials stated that they could not provide development cost for the munition because

they do not have records covering the development period.

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Guided Bomb Unit-12 The Guided Bomb Unit-12 (GBU-12) utilizes a 500-pound general purpose

warhead. The operator illuminates a target with a laser designator and

then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy reflected from the

target. The munition was used during Operation Desert Storm, and,

according to the Air Force, hit 88 percent of its targets.

Program Data

Service Air Force, Navy

Program status Inventory

Mission Air interdiction

Targets Mobile hard, fixed soft, fixed hard

Platforms A-7, A-10, B-52, F-111, F-117, F-15, F-16, F/A-18 C/D,

F-14, A-6

First capability 1976

Guidance method Laser (man-in-the-loop)

Range 8 nautical miles

Circular error probable 9 meters

Quantity Air Force: 29,654 ; Navy: 2,982

Development costa

Production cost Air Force: $563.426 million;

Navy: $56.807 million

Total acquisition cost Not available

Acquisition unit cost Not available

Production unit cost Air Force: $19,000; Navy: $19,050

aAir Force officials stated that they could not provide development cost because they do not have

records covering the development period.

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Guided Bomb Unit-15 The Guided Bomb Unit-15 (GBU-15) utilizes either a 2,000-pound general

purpose or 2,000-pound penetrating warhead. The GBU-15 allows the

aircraft to launch the munition from outside direct attack ranges, thus

enhancing the survivability of the aircraft. The weapon has a television or

infrared seeker data link with man-in-the-loop guidance.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Inventory

Mission Offensive counter air, close air support, interdiction, naval

anti-surface warfare

Targets Mobile soft, fixed hard, fixed soft

Platforms F-15E, F-111

First capability 1985

Guidance method Mid-course guidance-data link

Range Greater than 5 nautical miles

Quantity 2,823

Development cost $188.3 million

Production cost $586.2 million

Total acquisition cost $774.5 million

Acquisition unit cost $274,354

Production unit cost $207,651

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Guided Bomb Unit-24 The Guided Bomb Unit-24 (GBU-24) utilizes a 2,000-pound general purpose

or penetrator warhead. The operator illuminates a target with a laser

designator and then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy reflected

from the target. The GBU-24 is similar to the GBU-10, but it has improved

electronics and a larger aerodynamic flight surface that allows the

munition to be launched from a lower altitude and from a greater distance

from the target. The GBU-24 has low-level, standoff capability of more than

10 nautical miles.

Program Data

Service Air Force, Navy

Program status Inventory

Mission Close air support, interdiction, offensive counter air, naval

anti-surface warfare

Targets Mobile hard, fixed soft, fixed hard

Platforms A-10, F-111, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-14, A-6

First capability 1983

Guidance method Laser (man-in-the-loop)

Range Greater than 10 nautical miles

Quantity 13,114

Development costa Not available

Production cost $729.138 million

Total acquisition cost Not available

Acquisition unit cost Not available

Production unit cost $55,600

aAir Force officials stated that development cost was not available because they do not have

records covering the development period.

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Guided Bomb Unit-27 The Guided Bomb Unit-27 (GBU-27) is a GBU-24 modified for delivery by the

F-117 stealth fighter. The operator illuminates a target with a laser

designator and then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy reflected

from the target. It uses a 2,000-pound penetrating warhead against hard

targets. The GBU-27 was used in Operation Desert Storm. According to the

Air Force, the GBU-27 hit 70 percent of its targets.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Inventory

Mission Close air support, interdiction, offensive counter air, naval

anti-surface warfare

Targets Mobile hard, fixed hard, fixed soft

Platform F-117

First capability 1987

Guidance method Laser (man-in-the-loop)

Range Greater than 10 nautical miles

Quantity 3,213

Development costa Not available

Production cost $176.715 million

Total acquisition cost Not available

Acquisition unit cost Not available

Production unit cost $55,000

aAir Force officials stated that development cost was not available because they do not have

records covering the development period.

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Guided Bomb Unit-28 The Guided Bomb Unit-28 (GBU-28) is a 5,000-pound laser-guided

conventional munition that uses a 4,400-pound penetrating warhead. The

operator illuminates a target with a laser designator and then the munition

guides to a spot of laser energy reflected from the target. The Air Force

produced a limited quantity of the GBU-28 during Operation Desert Storm to

attack multi-layered, hardened underground targets. After Operation

Desert Storm, the Air Force incorporated some modifications, and further

tested the munition.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Production

Mission Offensive counter air, close air support, interdiction

Targets Fixed hard

Platforms F-15E, F-111F

First capability 1991

Guidance method Laser (man-in-the-loop)

Range Greater than 5 nautical miles

Quantity 125

Development costa

Production cost $18.2 million

Total cost $18.2 million

Acquisition unit cost $145,600

Production unit cost $145,600

aDevelopment cost is not applicable to this munition.

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High-Speed

Anti-Radiation Missile

The High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) suppresses or destroys land

or sea-based radar emitters that direct enemy air defense systems. The

Navy developed HARM; the Air Force also uses the missile.

Program Data

Service Navy and Air Force

Program status Inventory

Mission Defense suppression

Targets Fixed soft

Platforms F/A-18, A-6E, F-4G, F-16

First capability 1983

Guidance method Homes on electronic emissions

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles

Quantity 19,607 (Navy and Air Force)

Development cost $644.5 million

Production cost $5,568.1 million

Total acquisition cost $6,212.6 million

Acquisition unit cost $316,856

Production unit cost $283,985

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Harpoon The Harpoon missile provides the Navy and the Air Force with a common

missile for air, ship, and submarine launches. The weapon system uses

mid-course guidance with a radar seeker to attack surface ships.

Program Data

Service Navy and Air Force

Program status Inventory

Mission Maritime ship attack

Targets Maritime surface

Platforms A-6, F/A-18, S-3, P-3, B-52H, ships

First capability 1977

Guidance method Radar seeker with mid-course guidance

Range Greater than 60 nautical miles

Quantity Navy: 5,983; Air Force: 90

Development cost $320.7 million

Production cost $2,882.3 million

Total acquisition cost $3,203.0 million

Acquisition unit cost $527,416

Production unit cost $474,609

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Joint Direct Attack

Munition

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a joint Air Force and Navy

program with the Air Force as the lead service. The JDAM will upgrade the

existing inventory of general purpose and penetrator unitary bombs and a

product improvement may add a terminal seeker to improve accuracy.

Joint Direct Attack

Munition

The JDAM will upgrade the existing inventory of 1,000- and 2,000-pound

general purpose unitary bombs and the 2,000-pound hard target penetrator

bomb by integrating a guidance kit consisting of a GPS aided INS. JDAM is not

intended to replace any existing weapon system; rather, it is to provide

accurate delivery of general purpose bombs in adverse weather

conditions.

Program Data

Service Air Force and Navy

Program status Development

Mission Close air support, interdiction, offensive counterair,

suppression of enemy air defense, naval anti-surface

warfare, amphibious strike

Targets Mobile hard, mobile soft, fixed hard, fixed soft, maritime

surface

Platforms B-52, B-1, B-2, F-22, F-16, F-15E, F-117, F-14 A/B/D,

F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, AV-8B, P-3, S-3

First capability 1997

Guidance method GPS/INS (autonomous)

Range Greater than 5 nautical miles

Circular error probable 13 meters

Quantity Navy: 12,000; Air Force: 62,000

Development cost $496.2 million

Production cost $4,154.4 million

Total cost $4,650.6 million

Acquisition unit cost $62,846

Production unit cost $56,141

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Joint Direct Attack

Munition Product

Improvement Program

The JDAM product improvement program may add a terminal seeker for

precision guidance and other system improvements to existing JDAMs to

provide the Air Force with 3-meter precision and improved anti-jamming

capability. The Air Force is evaluating several alternatives and estimates

that the seeker could be available for operations by 2004. The seeker kit

could be used by both the 2,000-pound blast fragmentation and penetrator

JDAMs.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Development

Mission Close air support, interdiction, offensive counterair,

suppression of enemy air defense, naval anti-surface

warfare, amphibious strike

Targets Fixed hard, fixed soft, mobile hard, mobile soft

First capability 2004

Platforms B-52, B-1, B-2, F-16, F-15E, F-117

Guidance method GPS/INS mid-course with a terminal seeker yet to be

selected

Range Greater than 5 nautical miles

Circular error probable 3 meters

Quantity 5,000—kits to be added to basic JDAM

Development costa

Production costa

Total costa

Acquisition unit costa

Production unit costa

aAir Force officials stated that the Air Force has not completed evaluation of the seeker

technologies and therefore cannot determine the total cost of the product improvement. However,

the Air Force has programmed about $76.5 million for development through 2001.

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Joint Standoff

Weapon

The Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), formerly the Advanced Interdiction

Weapon System, is a joint Navy and Air Force program with the Navy as

the lead service. JSOW, a family of unpowered air-to-ground weapons,

utilizes a global position system targeting capability and an efficient

aerodynamic airframe to allow aircraft to standoff outside defenses. The

Navy and Air Force are developing three JSOW configurations: (1) JSOW

Baseline with combined effects submunitions for soft and area targets,

(2) JSOW/BLU-108 with the submunitions used in the Sensor Fuzed Weapon

(SFW) for massed land combat vehicles, and (3) JSOW/Unitary, a pre-planned

product improvement with a unitary warhead and an autonomous or

man-in-the-loop terminal seeker for use against fixed hard and soft and

maritime surface targets.

The JSOW Baseline and Unitary are intended to replace a number of missile

and guided bomb munitions included in this review. These include the

Walleye, laser guided bombs (GBU-10, GBU-12, and GBU-24), and the Maverick.

The JSOW/BLU-108 does not replace any existing PGMs.

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Joint Standoff Weapon

Baseline

The JSOW Baseline consists of the JSOW airframe and 145 combined effects

submunitions. The JSOW airframe provides standoff and accurate delivery

for targets dispersed over a wide area and other targets sensitive to blast

and damage from fragments.

Program Data

Service Navy and Air Force

Program status Development

Mission Close air support, interdiction, amphibious strike and

anti-surface warfare

Targets Mobile soft, fixed soft

Platforms B-1, F-16, F-15E, F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, AV-8B, P-3, S-3

First capability 1998

Guidance method GPS/INS

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles at low altitude; greater than

40 nautical miles at high altitude

Quantity Navy: 8,800; Air Force: 3,000

Development cost $417.9 million

Production cost $2,909.7 million

Total acquisition cost $3,327.6 million

Acquisition unit cost $282,000

Production unit cost $246,585

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Joint Standoff

Weapon/BLU-108

The JSOW/BLU-108 consists of the JSOW carrier and six BLU-108 submunitions.

The airframe provides standoff launch and accurate delivery for low

altitude release of the submunitions. The submunitions are the same as

those used in the Sensor Fuzed Weapon. Each submunition houses four

projectiles; each projectile contains an explosively-formed penetrator

warhead and a two-color infrared sensor.

Program Data

Service Navy and Air Force

Program status Development

Mission Close air support, interdiction, amphibious strike and

anti-surface warfare

Targets Mobile hard, mobile soft

Platforms B-1, F-16 C/D, F-15E, F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, AV-8B, P-3,

S-3

First capability 2001

Guidance method JSOW airframe—GPS/INS

BLU-108 submunitions—two-color infrared sensors

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles at low altitude; greater than

40 nautical miles at high altitude

Quantity Navy: 1,200; Air Force: 3,000

Development cost $227.8 million

Production cost $1,805.7 million

Total acquisition cost $2,033.5 million

Acquisition unit cost $484,167

Production unit cost $429,929

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Joint Standoff

Weapon/Unitary

The JSOW/Unitary builds on the JSOW Baseline by incorporating an

autonomous terminal seeker, a man-in-the-loop data link, and a unitary

warhead. These improvements are expected to provide increased accuracy

and lethality, and the capability for aimpoint selection, target

discrimination, and bomb impact assessment.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Development

Mission Close air support, interdiction, amphibious strike and

anti-surface warfare

Targets Fixed hard, maritime surface

Platforms F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, AV-8B, P-3, S-3

First capability 2002

Guidance method GPS/INS with a terminal seeker and man-in-the-loop data

link

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles at low altitude; greater than

40 nautical miles at high altitude

Quantity 7,800

Development cost $452.4 million

Production cost $5,155.9 million

Total acquisition cost $5,608.3 million

Acquisition unit cost $719,012

Production unit cost $661,013

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Maverick The Maverick utilizes either a 125-pound shaped-charge or 300-pound blast

fragmentation warhead; its primary targets include armored vehicles,

especially tanks. The Maverick variants include electro-optical/television

(A and B), imaging infrared (D, F, and G), or laser guidance (E). The Air

Force developed the Maverick, and the Navy procured the imaging

infrared and the laser guided versions. Maverick was used during

Operation Desert Storm and, according to the Air Force, hit 85 percent of

its targets.

Maverick, Air Force The Air Force uses two variants of the infrared Maverick. The D variant

has a shaped charge warhead for attack of armored targets, while the G

variant has a blast fragmentation warhead for attacking land targets.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Inventory

Mission Close air support, air interdiction, offensive counterair,

strike

Targets Mobile hard, mobile soft, fixed hard, fixed soft, and

maritime surface

Platforms A-7, A-10, F-4, F-16, F-15E

First capability 1986

Guidance method Imaging infrared (D/G)

Range 12 nautical miles

Quantity 23,689

Development costa $168 million

Production cost $2,895.5 million

Total acquisition $3,063.5 million

Acquisition unit $129,322

Production unit $122,230

aThe Air Force reported quantities of 12,559 of the Maverick electro-optical/ television variant.

Cost information for this variant was not available.

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Maverick, Navy The Navy uses a laser and an imaging infrared variant of the Maverick. The

laser variant homes on reflected laser energy from either a ground or

airborne designator and carries a blast/penetration warhead. The imaging

infrared variant carries a blast fragmentation warhead for attacking ships.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Inventory

Mission Close air support, air interdiction, offensive counterair,

strike, anti-surface warfare

Targets Mobile hard, mobile soft, fixed hard, fixed soft, and

maritime surface

Platforms A-6, F-18, AV-8B, P-3

First capability 1986

Guidance method Imaging infrared; laser

Range 12 nautical miles

Quantity 4,115

Development cost $25.5 million

Production cost $627.5 million

Total acquisition cost $653 million

Acquisition unit cost $158,688

Production unit cost $152,491

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Penguin Penguin was initially developed by the Norwegians as an anti-ship weapon

for patrol boats. However, the missile has been modified for aircraft

launch. The missile uses a programmed inertial navigation and an infrared

terminal seeker. The target coordinates are delivered to the weapon using

the launch aircraft radar. The weapon is autonomous, allowing the aircraft

to break off immediately after launch. Penguin provides the Navy’s SH-60B

helicopters with an anti-ship capability.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Inventory

Mission Anti-surface warfare

Targets Maritime surface

Platforms SH-60B helicopter

First capability 1994

Guidance method Infrared seeker with mid-course guidance

Range 17 nautical miles

Quantity 101

Development cost $83.5 million

Production cost $158.2 million

Total acquisition cost $241.7 million

Acquisition unit cost $2.4 million

Production unit cost $1.57 million

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Sense and Destroy

Armor Munition

The Sense and Destroy Armor Munition (SADARM) is expected to provide

capability against stationary, armored vehicles beyond the forward line of

troops and enable rapid engagement, day or night despite degraded

battlefield conditions. Two 5.8-inch diameter SADARMs are carried in a

155-millimeter projectile launched from a howitzer. The submunition has

both millimeter wave and infrared sensing devices, electronics for

information processing, and an explosively formed penetrator warhead.

Program Data

Service Army

Program status Development

Mission Counterfire

Targets Mobile hard

Platform 155-millimeter howitzer

First capability 1999

Guidance method Active and passive millimeter wave and infrared

Range 22.5 kilometers

Quantity Projectiles: 73,612; SADARM submunitions: 147,224

Development cost $356.3 million

Production cost $2,581.1 million

Total acquisition cost $2,937.4 million

Acquisition unit cost $39,904

Production unit cost $35,063

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Sensor Fuzed Weapon The Air Force’s Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) is a 1,000-pound, unpowered,

multiple kill per pass munition. The SFW’s tactical munitions dispenser

houses 10 BLU-108 submunitions. Each submunition contains four

projectiles, an orientation and stabilization system, a radar altimeter, and a

rocket motor. Each projectile contains an explosively formed penetrator

warhead and a two-color infrared sensor. If the projectile does not detect a

target, it detonates after a fixed elapsed time, causing damage to material

and personnel. Neither the munition dispenser nor the BLU-108

submunitions are guided. However, the projectiles scan a wide area with

their infrared sensors searching for targets. The Air Force is also

developing a tail kit, termed the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, for

the SFW and similar munitions that will provide inertial navigation and

allow aircraft to deliver them from high altitudes.

Program Data

Service Air Force

Program status Production

Mission Interdiction

Targets Mobile hard, mobile soft

Platform F-16, F-15E, F-111, A-10, B-52H, B-52

First capability 1995

Guidance method Two color infrared sensor

Range Direct attack

Quantity 5,000

Development cost $227.7 million

Production cost $1,599.4 million

Total acquisition cost $1,827.1 million

Acquisition unit cost $365,420

Production unit cost $319,880

Page 44 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Standoff Land Attack

Missile

The Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) is derived from the Harpoon

missile and is designed to provide an intermediate range day/night/adverse

weather air-to-surface weapon for use against land targets and surface

ships in port. The Navy plans to improve performance by retrofitting SLAMs

with a suite of improvements.

Baseline Standoff Land

Attack Missile

SLAM combines an imaging infrared seeker, inertial GPS-aided guidance, and

data link control to provide standoff precision strike against land targets

and selective ship attack. The pilot can fine tune the aim point while the

missile is in flight, providing targeting accuracy, real time bomb damage

assessment, and minimum collateral damage.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Production

Mission Anti-surface warfare, strike

Targets Fixed hard, fixed soft, maritime surface

Platforms F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, A-6E

First capability 1991

Guidance method Imaging infrared seeker, inertial GPS-aided guidance,

and data link control

Range Greater than 60 nautical miles

Quantity 767

Development cost $81.9 million

Production cost $1,056.9 million

Total acquisition cost $1,138.8 million

Acquisition unit cost $1.49 million

Production unit cost $1.38 million

Page 45 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Standoff Land Attack

Missile Expanded

Response

The SLAM-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) is an upgrade and retrofit to the

baseline SLAM. It will maintain baseline SLAM capability while improving

performance in the areas of launch and control, aircraft survivability,

immunity to countermeasures and probability of kill against hardened

targets. SLAM-ER is also expected to provide improved range, hard target

penetration and user interfaces for both mission planning and aircraft

integration.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Development

Mission Anti-surface warfare, strike

Targets Fixed hard, fixed soft, maritime surface

Platforms F/A-18C/D/E/F, A-6 and potentially: B-52, B-1, B-2, F-16,

F-15E, F-117, F-14, AV-8B, P-3, S-3, V-22

First capability 1997

Guidance method Imaging infrared seeker, inertial GPS-aided guidance,

and man-in-the-loop data link control

Range Greater than 60 nautical miles

Quantity 700

Development cost $192.3 million

Production cost $358.0 million

Total acquisition cost $550.3 million

Acquisition unit cost $786,143

Production unit cost $511,428

Page 46 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Tomahawk The Navy has three conventional versions of the Tomahawk missile:

Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM), Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile

(TLAM), and the developmental Tomahawk Baseline Improvement Program

(TBIP).

Tomahawk Anti-Ship

Missile

TASM attacks over-the-horizon, open ocean ships in a battle group. The

TASM mission has receded because this variant is not particularly suited to

warfare in waters that may be crowded with both combatant and

noncombatant ships. The Navy plans to remanufacture the existing TASMs

into TBIPs.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Inventory

Mission Maritime ship attack

Targets Ships

Platforms Ships, submarines

First capability 1984

Guidance method Mid-course guidance

Range Greater than 60 nautical miles

Quantity 593

Development cost $346.9 million

Production cost $1,513.9 million

Total acquisition cost $1,860.8 million

Acquisition unit cost $3.14 million

Production unit cost $2.553 million

Page 47 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Tomahawk Land Attack

Missile C/D

Tomahawk Land Attack Missile-C (TLAM-C) uses a unitary warhead and the

Tomahawk Land Attack Missile-D (TLAM-D) uses a submunition warhead.

TLAM-C generally attacks single, fixed targets such as a specific point on a

building; TLAM-D attacks area-type targets such as aircraft parked on a

ramp. The Tomahawk missile follows a pre-programmed route over

specific terrain features using a combination of terrain contour matching

and digital scene matching area correlation guidance.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Production

Mission Close air support/interdiction, offensive counter air,

suppression of enemy air defense, naval anti-surface

warfare

Targets Fixed soft, fixed hard, mobile soft

Platforms Ships, submarines

First capability TLAM-C/D Block II: 1986; Block III: 1993

Guidance method Terrain Correlation Mapping, Digital Scene Matching Area

Correlator

Range Greater than 350 nautical miles

Quantity TLAM-C: 2,729; TLAM-D: 676

Development cost $1,224.9 million

Production cost $7,201.9 million

Total acquisition cost $8,426.8 million

Acquisition unit cost $2.475 million

Production unit cost $2.115 million

Page 48 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Tomahawk Baseline

Improvement Program

TBIP represents a major upgrade to the Tomahawk. TBIP uses (1) a

jam-resistant GPS receiver and an INS to guide the missile throughout the

mission and (2) a forward-looking terminal sensor to autonomously attack

the target. The Navy plans to upgrade or remanufacture the existing TASM

and the TLAM-C inventory to TBIP.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Development

Mission Amphibious strike and anti-surface warfare, naval warfare

support, naval warfare

Targets Fixed hard, fixed soft, maritime surface

Platforms Ships, submarines

First capability 2000

Guidance method GPS/INS

Range Greater than 350 nautical miles

Quantity 1,181

Development cost $745.7 million

Production cost $1,832.9 million

Total cost $2,578.6 million

Acquisition unit cost $2.18 million

Production unit cost $1.55 million

Page 49 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Precision Guided Munitions Fact Sheets

Walleye Walleye is a television-guided munition that can be either autonomous,

homing on a high contrast target; or the pilot can send guidance

commands in-flight with a data link to update the aimpoint. Walleye has

two warhead sizes, 415 pounds and 1,000 pounds, that can be used during

daylight operations against a variety of fixed, mobile, or maritime targets.

Walleye was used during Operation Desert Storm and, according to the

Navy, achieved a success rate of 60 percent.

Program Data

Service Navy

Program status Inventory

Mission Close air support, interdiction, offensive counter air, naval

anti-surface warfare

Targets Mobile hard, fixed hard, fixed soft, maritime surface

Platforms A-6, F/A-18

First capability 1967; data link configuration—mid 1970s

Guidance method TV data link and man-in-the-loop

Range Greater than 15 nautical miles

Circular error probable 15 feet

Quantity 1,300 non-data link configuration; 1,900 data link

configuration

Development cost $77 million

Production cost $295 million

Total acquisition cost $372 million

Acquisition unit cost $116,250

Production unit cost $92,188

Page 50 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix III 

Scope and Methodology

We identified 33 precision guided munitions that have some capability to

alter their in-flight course to improve the chances of hitting a target. In

selecting these munitions for review, we considered only munitions that

are surface-to-surface, indirect fire weapons or are air-to-surface weapons.

In addition, munitions included have a nominal standoff from their

launching platform of about 5 nautical miles or more.

The 33 PGM types we reviewed included Army, Navy, and Air Force

munitions in inventory that are no longer in production; munitions that

have an open production line; and developmental munitions that have not

yet begun production. Developmental munitions also include munition

product improvements that are not yet being produced. The munitions

selected are not the total universe of precision guided munitions but are

those that, in our judgement, represented the substantial majority of the

services’ PGM investment and capability.

We reviewed the services’ mission need and cost and operational

effectiveness analyses for the developmental systems to determine the

tradeoffs that the services had examined before approving munition

development. We obtained program cost, schedule, and employment

information for all 33 munitions in order to compare munitions

capabilities with each other. We did not compare PGM capabilities with

non-precision munitions. We interviewed Air Force, Navy, and Army

personnel concerning requirements, acquisition, and platform integration

and visited the following locations:

• Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, Acquisition and Technology,

Office of Munitions, Washington, D.C.;

• Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, Program Analysis and Evaluation,

Washington, D. C.;

• Naval Air Systems Command, Arlington, Virginia;

• Program Executive Office, Cruise Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Joint Program Office, Arlington, Virginia;

• Air Force’s Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,

Ohio, and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida;

• Air Force’s Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia;

• Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development

and Acquisition, Washington, D.C.;

• Program Executive Office, Tactical Missiles, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama;

• Fire Support Armaments Center, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey; and

• U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Ft. Monroe, Virginia.

Page 51 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix III 

Scope and Methodology

We also obtained documents on Air Force munitions in inventory from the

Air Force Logistics Command, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Tinker Air

Force Base, Oklahoma.

We performed our work from January 1994 to May 1995 in accordance

with generally accepted government auditing standards.

Page 52 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix IV 

Comments From the Department of Defense

See comment 1.

Page 53 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix IV 

Comments From the Department of Defense

The following is GAO’s comment on the Department of Defense’s letter

dated May 15, 1995.

GAO Comment 1. The technical corrections provided in the enclosure to the Department

of Defense’s comments consisted primarily of changes to cost and

quantities since the completion of our fieldwork. We have revised the

report to include these changes, where appropriate.

Page 54 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
Appendix II 

Major Contributors to This Report

National Security and

International Affairs

Division, Washington,

D.C.

Thomas J. Schulz, Associate Director

Raymond Dunham, Assistant Director

Atlanta Field Office Carol T. Mebane, Evaluator-in-Charge

Wayne Gilliam, Advisor

Graham D. Rawsthorn, Evaluator

Angel D. Sharma, Evaluator

Dana S. Solomon, Evaluator

(707054) Page 55 GAO/NSIAD-95-95 Precision Guided Munitions
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