GB-8
Encyclopedia
GB-8 was a precision guided munition developed by the United States during World War II
. It was one of the precursors of modern anti-ship missiles.
Following German
success with the Hs-293
and Fritz-X, the U.S. began developing several similar weapons, such as Felix
, Azon
, Gargoyle, GB-4
, and GB-8.
GB-8 was intended as a clear weather, good visibility weapon to attack heavily-defended targets. It featured a plywood
airframe with twin booms and fins with a single elevator. The warhead was a 2000 lb (907 kg) general purpose (GP) bomb.
The bomb was steered by radio command guidance, the operator tracking it by means of red and white flare
s in the booms. It was intended to be carried externally, under the wing of a B-17 or B-25. Release was at about 175 mph (280 km/h) and between 10,000 and 15,000 ft (3,000–4600 m) altitude, giving a range of 17 mi (27 km), with an average flight time of four minutes.
The Pacific War
ended before it entered combat.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was one of the precursors of modern anti-ship missiles.
Following German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
success with the Hs-293
Henschel Hs 293
The Henschel Hs 293 was a World War II German anti-ship guided missile: a radio-controlled glide bomb with a rocket engine slung underneath it. It was designed by Herbert A. Wagner.- History :...
and Fritz-X, the U.S. began developing several similar weapons, such as Felix
VB-6 Felix
The VB-6 Felix was a precision guided munition developed by the United States during World War II. It was one of the precursors of modern anti-ship missiles....
, Azon
Azon
AZON was one of the world's first smart bombs, deployed by the Allies and contemporary with the German Fritz X.Officially designated VB-1 , it was invented by Major Henry J. Rand and Thomas J...
, Gargoyle, GB-4
GB-4
GB-4 was a precision guided munition developed by the United States during World War II . It was one of the precursors of modern anti-ship missiles.Following German success with the Hs-293 and Fritz-X, the U.S...
, and GB-8.
GB-8 was intended as a clear weather, good visibility weapon to attack heavily-defended targets. It featured a plywood
Plywood
Plywood is a type of manufactured timber made from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, re-usable, and can usually be locally manufactured...
airframe with twin booms and fins with a single elevator. The warhead was a 2000 lb (907 kg) general purpose (GP) bomb.
The bomb was steered by radio command guidance, the operator tracking it by means of red and white flare
Flare (pyrotechnic)
A flare, also sometimes called a fusee, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a brilliant light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for signalling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications...
s in the booms. It was intended to be carried externally, under the wing of a B-17 or B-25. Release was at about 175 mph (280 km/h) and between 10,000 and 15,000 ft (3,000–4600 m) altitude, giving a range of 17 mi (27 km), with an average flight time of four minutes.
The Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
ended before it entered combat.
Sources
- Fitzsimons, Bernard, editor. "GB-8", in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare. Volume 10, p.1101. London: Phoebus Publishing, 1978.
See also
- Fritz XFritz XFritz X was the most common name for a German guided anti-ship glide bomb used during World War II. Fritz X was a nickname used both by Allied and Luftwaffe personnel. Alternate names include Ruhrstahl SD 1400 X, Kramer X-1, PC 1400X or FX 1400...
- AzonAzonAZON was one of the world's first smart bombs, deployed by the Allies and contemporary with the German Fritz X.Officially designated VB-1 , it was invented by Major Henry J. Rand and Thomas J...
- Razon
- GB-4GB-4GB-4 was a precision guided munition developed by the United States during World War II . It was one of the precursors of modern anti-ship missiles.Following German success with the Hs-293 and Fritz-X, the U.S...
- VB-6 FelixVB-6 FelixThe VB-6 Felix was a precision guided munition developed by the United States during World War II. It was one of the precursors of modern anti-ship missiles....
- BatBat (guided bomb)-External links:*...
- LBD-1 GargoyleLBD-1 Gargoyle-Sources:*This article contains material that originally came from the placard at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.* Fitzsimons, Bernard, editor. "Gargoyle", in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare, Volume 10, p. 1090. London: Phoebus Publishing, 1978.-External links:* * * * *...
- List of anti-ship missiles