United States announces tactical shift to precision gravity bombs in Iran military campaign

Key facts

• United States (US) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a tactical pivot from standoff munitions to precision gravity bombs in the ongoing campaign against Iran.
• The US military will deploy the Mark 80 series of conventional gravity bombs, specifically the 500-pound Mk 82, 1,000-pound Mk 83, and 2,000-pound Mk 84 variants.
• Gravity bombs are unpowered munitions that are converted into precision weapons using Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) and steerable fins.
• The shift follows the degradation of Iranian air defences, allowing the use of gravity bombs which cost approximately $25,000 to $30,000 per unit compared to more expensive standoff missiles.
• Previous operations utilised standoff munitions such as Tomahawk cruise missiles and Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones to dismantle radars and missile batteries.
• The Mark 80 series can be deployed by various aircraft, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-35 stealth jets, and B-52 Stratofortress heavy strategic bombers.
• While the current campaign uses conventional bombs, the US arsenal also includes nuclear gravity bombs like the B61 and B83 series, which require explicit authorisation from the US President.
• India link not mentioned in the article.