Better than bombs: unpowered guided bombs now dominate the drop-count, but there are better ways to attack low-value ground targets and those protected by modern air defences. There are also better armaments for drones and helicopters.

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Air-to-ground

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Better than bombs: unpowered guided bombs now dominate the drop-count, but there are better ways to attack low-value ground targets and those protected by modern air defences. There are also better armaments for drones and helicopters.

Ground attacks in prolonged counter-terrorist operations that involve no effective air defence systems must combine precision with low cost. The current widespread use of bombs with add-on guidance and control kits obscures the need for further developments in powered air-to-ground guided missiles, which provide a much larger 'footprint' and higher kinetic energy at impact. There is in particular a demand for cost-effective lightweight and operationally flexible weapons for drones and helicopters.

Improvements in turbine engines, low-cost sensors and variable-geometry wings are meanwhile encouraging ...

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