GBU-8

The GBU-8 Homing Bomb System, known as HOBOS, is a 2,000 pound electro-optical guided bomb developed for the United States Air Force. Rockwell began development in 1967 at the Air Force's request, in response to shortcomings of the Navy's AGM-62 Walleye during the Vietnam War; the Mk. 84 bomb's payload was judged more effective than the smaller warhead of the Walleye, which was designed for anti-ship use. The weapon has a contrast seeker in the nose, four cruciform tailfins with flying surfaces for control, strakes joining the fins to the nose, and a 2,000 pound Mk. 84 low-drag general-purpose bomb. The same guidance kit on a 3,000 pound Mark 118 bomb was designated GBU-9. It reached Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand in January 1969 and was first used in combat in February 1969. It was used again in Operation Linebacker, including against the Thanh Hoa Bridge on 27 April 1972 and the Paul Doumer Bridge on 10 May 1972. The concept was carried forward in the GBU-15, and the Israeli Air Force also used the weapon.