MILAVIA Forum

Military Aviation => Air Power => Topic started by: F-111 C/C on January 07, 2009, 12:21:53 AM

Title: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: F-111 C/C on January 07, 2009, 12:21:53 AM
Anyone have any info on the airstrikes as far as strike packages and/or weapons/aircraft used?
Title: Re: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: Gripen on January 07, 2009, 03:47:12 AM
F-16, AH-64.

Apparently used GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs
Title: Re: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: RecceJet on January 07, 2009, 09:47:52 AM
F-16, AH-64.

Apparently used GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

Have you got any sources for this Gripen?

I think I read somewhere that Apaches are being used, but I didn't make a note of it at the time.

With Israel's previous operation in Lebanon I recall the US getting into hot water in the media for supplying JDAM kits that were apparently put to use straight away. I could only speculate at this stage that they're using more JDAMs again.
Title: Re: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: RecceJet on January 07, 2009, 10:48:27 AM
I've had a quick look through some of the media reports out there, not much detailed info. One Gaza-based journalist claims that F-16s bombed his dad, but I wouldn't put much credibility on a journalist's claims, especially in that area of the world. As far as Apaches go, the only reference I can find is about "Assault helicopters", which in Israel's order of battle could include Cobras and AH-6 Little Birds (not sure if these are still in service, but they carry the TOW AT missile).

As for munitions used, there was a mention of bunker busters, but again, the media likes interchanging terms for things that go bang. The strongest piece of evidence I could find was a photo.

(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200901/r327688_1472059.jpg)
If this image was taken during the latest conflict then it seems to depict a stick of four GP-type bombs, possibly with JDAM kits.
Title: Re: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: Gripen on January 07, 2009, 01:07:15 PM
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230456505080&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/RMOI-7MXMPD?OpenDocument
Title: Re: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: Webmaster on January 08, 2009, 05:13:42 AM
From the footage on TV, I could make out 1x F-16, 1x Apache (either -A or -D without Longbow).
Title: Re: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: shawn a on January 09, 2009, 04:54:19 AM
RecceJet,
Your photo looks too clear and high speed to have been taken by someone so near a real combat target. Nice photo, though.
 A small byline in Aviation week and Space Technology said that SDBs (or GBU-39s) were used, but it doesn't mention the launching platform. The article was accompanied by a photo of a non-Longbow Apache loaded with something I can't identify, but the article states that -15s, -16s, and Apaches were used.
Shawn A
Title: Re: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: RecceJet on January 09, 2009, 05:02:27 AM
RecceJet,
Your photo looks too clear and high speed to have been taken by someone so near a real combat target. Nice photo, though.
 A small byline in Aviation week and Space Technology said that SDBs (or GBU-39s) were used, but it doesn't mention the launching platform. The article was accompanied by a photo of a non-Longbow Apache loaded with something I can't identify, but the article states that -15s, -16s, and Apaches were used.
Shawn A

Yeah you'd need to know where to look in preparation for a shot to get a photo like that.
Title: Re: Airstrikes on Hamas
Post by: Webmaster on January 09, 2009, 07:56:01 PM
Well, they are not GBU-39s, you would have seen the wings...

And those tails, it's hard to say, but doesn't look like JDAM tails, just Mk.82s with BSU-33?

Actually not even sure they are US bombs... looks more like French to me, lol.