HOPE/HOSBO

HOPE (HOchleistungs-PEnetrator = High Performance Penetrator) and HOSBO (HOchleistungs-Spreng-BOmbe = High Performance Explosive Bomb) are a new family of smart bombs, currently under development by Diehl BGT Defence for the German Luftwaffe. Diehl BGT is expected to reach production readiness in 2010, although neither the weapon nor the integration has been ordered so far.German officals have announced that HOPE has greater penetration capability then a USAF GBU-28 munition.

A first test flight with HOPE, carried by a Tornado of the Luftwaffe, took place on 09-04-2008 in Manching, Germany.

A test of the HOPE munition was carried out at the Swedish test range at Vidsel on the 14th of September, 2008; the test was a success.

HOPE

HOPE is a glide bomb with high maneuverability, developed particularly to engage hardened targets, such as tunnels or subterranean bunkers. HOPE has a range of more than convert|160|km|mi|0|lk=on and an internal GPS/INS- and electro-optical guidance.

HOSBO

HOSBO is a highly maneuverable glide bomb that can be equipped with modular warheads, including non-lethal ones, e.g. with high-energy microwaves. Range and guidance are equal to HOPE.

Specifications

*Name: HOPE/HOSBO
*Developer: Diehl BGT Defence
*Range: convert|160|km|mi|0|abbr=on
*Length: HOPE: convert|5|m|ft|1|abbr=on|lk=on; HOSBO: convert|3.5|m|ft|1|abbr=on
*Weight: HOPE: convert|1400|kg|lb|0|abbr=on|lk=on; HOSBO: convert|907|kg|lb|0|abbr=on
*Diameter: approx. convert|40|cm|in|0|abbr=on|lk=on
*Guidance: GPS/INS and electro-optical video feedback

Platforms

*Eurofighter
*Panavia Tornado

See also

* Taurus missile
* AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon

External links

* [http://www.diehl-bgt-defence.de/index.php?id=563&L=1 HOPE/HOSBO on the Homepage of German developer and manufacturer Diehl BGT Defence]
* [http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/GLIDE09258.xml&headline=Glide-Bomb%20Success%20Turns%20Attention%20To%20Future&channel=defense]