US to build new nuclear gravity bomb::Experts say this new higher-yield nuclear bomb appears intended to pave the way for retiring the older B83 megaton bomb.

  • Xanthrax@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    8 months ago

    The drone drops the payload (I assume, unless the pilot is going to die) . That’s what makes it gravity operated. A guided missile wouldn’t need a drone, and would be exactly as you described. That’s a big thing with the “loitering munitions,” right now.

    • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      8 months ago

      My point was just if the pilot was going to die you said use a drone. If the pilot were going to die it would imply whatever delivers the gravity falling weapon is destroyed from being to close. So it is a one time delivery sustem much like a missile cassing instead of a drone which flies away and is re-usable.

      • Xanthrax@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        edit-2
        8 months ago

        That’s called a “loitering munition”. If there’s a payload that’s embedded into the craft, and you’re not going to retrieve it, but you can still fly it remotely, that’s when it’s loitering munition, if that makes sense. It’s a small bomb you fly in a circle until you have a good angle basically.

        https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loitering_munition