Tian Ge (), abbreviated as TG or GB, is a series of precision-guided munitions (PGM) developed by Harbin Jiancheng Group, a subsidiary of China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco).
Development Background The Chinese development of the precision-guided bomb began in the 1970s after the Chinese military observed the American usage of Paveway in the Vietnam War. Factory 624, later known as the Harbin Jiancheng Group, a subsidiary of Norinco, began the development process in 1974, with prototypes completed in 1980. Between 1984 and 1985, the guided bomb was tested via ground laser designation, while in 1986, the bomb was tested with an aerial laser targeting pod prototype. Prototypes were tested on the H-5 bomber. The project was canceled in the late 1980s due to budgetary issues. The prototype guided bomb in the canceled project was designated Type 7712.
A new laser-guided bomb project was initiated in 1992 after Chinese observation of the Gulf War. This project received more budgetary, human, and political resources. The bomb system was tasked to the Luoyang-based China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA, 612th Research Institute), and the targeting pod was tasked to the Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center (LOTDC, 613th Research Institute), and the production was tasked to the Factory 624 (Harbin Jiancheng Group). The final product was LS-500J laser-guided bomb, later renamed LT-2 laser-guided bomb for export. LS-500J (LT-2) was one of the most widely used guided bombs in China's arsenal.
Eventually, the original LS-500J branched out to the other series of guided bombs, which were manufactured by different defense factories and institutions: The LS () and LT () series guidance bomb kits, with the LS series focusing on satellite glide bomb, whereas the LT focus on laser guidance, produced by Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The FT () series of guided bombs, produced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The TG (), TD (), and TL () series of guided bombs, produced by various subsidiaries of China North Industries Group Corporation, such as Harbin Jiancheng Group. The YL () and YJ () series of guided bombs, produced by China South Industries Group and marketed via Norinco. The YZ series guided bomb, produced by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
TG/GB series
GB1 is the second-generation laser-guided bomb with a design based on LS-500J (LT-2). Unlike LS-500J (LT-2), it has a proportional navigation seeker that is gyrostabilized. The new seeker provides GB1 with a longer detection range and a wider field of view. GB1 was revealed at Zhuhai Airshow 2008 and was expanded into a series of bombs with different sizes. The series was renamed at Zhuhai Airshow 2012 as the Tian Ge () series, which included TG100, TG250, TG500, and TG1000, corresponding to their mass. The GB1 was renamed TG500. TG series bombs can also be mounted with glide wings, which are denoted with the ER suffix. At Zhuhai Airshow 2014, TG series was renamed again to be GB series, with TG500, TG100 becoming GB500, GB100, etc. Alt URL Later variants of the GB series bomb, such as GB25, GB50, GB100 and GB1000, has third- and fourth-generation gimbaled seeker with dual model guidance module, combining laser with satellite / inertial navigation.
+ Tiange bomb designationsOriginal (2008)GB1TG series (2012)TG500Tiangang(TD500)-ERTG250TG250-ERTG100TG1000Tianlei(TL)500TG50GB series (2014)GB500GB2AGB250 (GB3)GB250A (GB3A)GB100 (GB4)GB1000 (GB5)GB6GB50 (GB7)Bomb class
The GB series bombs are deployed by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
The GB500 bomb in PLAAF service is designated K/YGB500B. The predecessor, LS-500J (LT-2) is designated K/YGB500.
TD series At the Zhuhai Airshow 2012, Harbin Jiancheng Group also revealed Tiangang () series bombs, abbreviated as the TD series. TD series bombs can also be mounted with glide wings, which are denoted with the ER suffix. TD series are satellite-guided bombss, with options to fit panel wing-glider, similar to the roles and performance of the LS-6 series.
TL series
At the Zhuhai Airshow 2012, Harbin Jiancheng Group also revealed Tianlei () series bombs, specifically the TL500, a airborne munitions dispensers. In 2014, the weapon was renamed as the GB6 or Tianlei-1 (TL-1). Tianlei series bombs are multi-purpose airborne munitions dispensers with glide wings, which serves as a universal platform with customizable payloads, including various types of submunutions. The TL500 has a cube-shaped stealth enclosure that reduces radar cross section (RCS) and increasing internal volume for payload, a launch mass of , and a reported range of more than or .
Each dispenser contains 240 submunitions and has an effective area of . Six variants of submunitions are available, including armor-penetrating submunitions for attacking armored columns, anti-runway submunitions that create bulges and pits on the targeted surface and serves as mines to delay repair, area blockade submunitions with fuzed acoustic and optical sensors targeting infrastructures, fuel air explosive submunitions for cleaning out minefields, combined effect submunitions with both armor-piercing and incendiary effect, and self-propelled loitering submunitions containing reconnaissance and transmission equipment. Submunitions can be loaded in separate bombs or mixed together in a single bomb. Aside from carrying submunitions, TL500 can also load supplies or distribute leaflets.
TL500 is the same or very similar to the K/YBS500 multi-purpose airborne munitions dispensers in the People's Liberation Army service, which is also developed by the 624th Factory (Harbin Jiancheng Group) of Norinco. The TL500 and the Chinese service variants are capable of all-weather operations, autonomous flight, smart target acquisition, and long-range strike. Overall, the capabilities of the TL500 is similar to the AGM-154A-1 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW).
The TL500 (GB6) is also similar to the CS/BBC5 (YJ-6), which is shown to have six tail strakes. In contrast, the TL500 (GB6) dispenser only has four tail edges. The CS/BBC5 (YJ-6) is reportedly a newer design.
The Tianlei-2 (TL-2) or GB6A variant was showcased at Zhuhai Airshow 2016, which is a GB6 guided bomb fitted with a miniature turbojet engine. The jet engine provides extended range and offering capabilities similar to that of Storm Shadow and Taurus KEPD 350. GB6A (TL-2) has two engine options, a solid rocket booster for more than of range, and a turbojet engine for more than of range. The guidance system and warhead customization options are similar to that of GB6.
TJ series
Harbin Jiancheng Group also produces guided modules for the rocket. The Tianjian () rocket debuted on Zhuhai Airshow 2012. The rocket has the provision for guided seekers. The guided rocket was designated BRM-1. The BRM-1 weighs , has a warhead of with TH50-50 high explosives. The range of the rocket is , and it uses semi-active laser guidance. The weapon can be fired in a salvo of 7 on the HF-7 launcher or a salvo of 20 on the HF-20 launcher.
Variants Guided bomb variants produced by Harbin Jiancheng Group include: TG500/GB500/GB1 laser-guided bomb, the original variant with a second-generation seeker. SAL guidance. TG250/GB250/GB3 laser-guided bomb, the original variant with a second-generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL. TG250-ER/GB250A/GB3A laser-guided glide bomb, it's a GB250 bomb fitted with additional gliding wings. Dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL. TG100/GB100/GB4 laser-guided bomb, the updated variant with a newer generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL. TG1000/GB1000/GB5 laser-guided bomb, updated variant with a newer generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL. TG50/GB50/GB7 laser-guided bomb, updated variant with a newer generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL. TG25/GB25 laser-guided bomb, updated variant with a newer generation seeker, dual mode guidance with INS / GNSS + SAL. TD500-ER/GB2A satellite-guided glide bomb, INS / GNSS + SAL terminal guidance. TL-1/TL500/GB6 satellite-guided multi-purpose airborne munitions dispensers. TL-2/GB6A satellite-guided multi-purpose airborne munitions dispensers with turbojet engine. Cruise missile.
Specifications + Bomb specifications GB500/GB1 GB2A GB250/GB3 GB250A/GB3A GB100/GB4 GB1000/GB5 GB50/GB7 GB25 Launch mass Warhead PBX (GB5-I) (GB5-II) Length Diameter Span Range Release altitude Seeker gyrostabilized proportional navigation(Gen 2) N/A gyrostabilized proportional navigation(Gen 2) Gimballed scan array(Gen 3/4) Guidance SAL GNSS INS + GNSS + SAL Steering Cruciform trailing edges Cruciform trailing edges + Panel wings Cruciform trailing edges Cruciform trailing edges + Panel wings Cruciform trailing edges Accuracy (CEP) ≤3m (ground)≤5m (air) ≤15m ≤4m ≤3m
Operators : People's Liberation Army People's Liberation Army Air Force People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force : Pakistan Armed Forces Pakistan Air Force
Rapid Support Forces
See also LT series, comparable laser-guided bombs by Luoyang AVIC. LS-6, comparable glide bombs developed by Luoyang AVIC. FT series, comparable glide bombs developed by CASC. YL series, comparable guided bombs produced by China South Industries Group. Paveway II / Paveway III / Paveway IV GBU-54/56 LJDAM
References