smart+weapons

**Examples of Military Smart Weapons:**
 * Smart Weapons**  **What are smart weapons?**   Smart weapons are military hardware that use computer technologies in order to carry out missions or tasks.
 * **Laser Guided Bombs**
 * Guided Bomb Unit-28 (GBU-28) - a 5000-pound laser guided conventional munition that uses a 4400-pound 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 development of laser guided weapons has improved the accuracy of weapon delivery.


 * **TV/IR Guided Bombs**
 * GBU-15 - an unpowered, glide weapon used to destroy high value enemy targets. It provides accurate guided delivery of a MK-84 bomb at increased ranges. The GBU-15's range is greater than that of laser guided munitions, because the GBU-15 doesn't need to have acquired the target before it is released. The weapon is remotely controlled by a datalink system, and the weapon systems operator locates the target area and the specific aim point by observing the video transmitted from the weapon. The weapon's flight path can be adjusted automatically or manually. The weapon video is either electro-optical or infrared, and generated in the nose of the weapon.
 * **Direct Attack -** The pilot chooses the target before launching the weapon. He then locks the weapon guidance system onto the target and launches the weapon. The weapon automatically guides itself to the target. This enables the pilot to leave the target area.
 * **Indirect Attack** - The weapon is remotely guided after launch. After releasing the weapon, the pilot uses a remote control to search for the target. Once the target is found, the weapon can be locked to the target of manually guided via the datalink system.
 * **GPS Guided Bombs**
 * GBU-24E/B - an enhanced laser guided bomb. It's a precision-guided hardened target penetrator used to destroy hardened aircraft hangers and underground bunkers. It combines the existing laser guidance to GPS.
 * **Targeting Pods**
 * AN/AWW-14 Data Link Pod - a weapon control datalink that allows the operator to select a target for weapon impact. The link is generally acquired electro-optically or through infrared in clear weather.
 * **Spy Weapons**
 * Smart Arrow - The Israeli have invented the Smart Arrow that, when fired, embeds itself into a surface. It then begins to wirelessly transmit video for up to seven hours. it has a range of up to 300 meters and can transmit at 25 frames per second with a 60 degree field of view. The video is transmitted to a hand held device and the arrow can pivot to grab shots through a door or window.



The systems used in military smart weapons are very reliable due to their intended purposes. The major thing that can affect the weapon's success is the weather. Usually weather forecasting may be used to increase the success of the missions.

**Social/Ethical Issues**

**Reliability** The development of the smart weapons depends on software.

**Control** The military controls the development of the smart weapons.

**Globalization and Cultural Diversity** Anybody with internet access can get information about smart weapons.

**People and Machines** The design of smart weapons very effective, given that data is input correctly. The design is controlled by the government or the military, in order to improve speed, judgement, analysis accuracy and innovation.