photo #1388809

A McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle of the 17th Weapons Squadron "Hooters" from Nellis Air Force Base heads out to the range loaded up with four GBU-12 Paveway II Mk 82 500-pound inert training bombs, and a pair of inert Mk 84 2000-pound bombs. A GBU-31 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) is mounted on the centerline and a GBU-10 Paveway II is mounted on the right Conformal Fuel Tank pylon. The Paveways are laser-guided bombs, whose target must be constantly illuminated and whose precision can be affected by weather conditions, whereas the JDAM utilizes an inertial guidance system and a GPS guidance control unit. Both types of munitions are referred to as Guided Bomb Units (GBU), also known as "smart bombs."This Strike Eagle is also armed with an AIM-9X Sidewinder which provides an air-to-air capability.The 17 WPS, a part of the USAF Weapons School based at Nellis AFB, provides advanced training in the Strike Eagle's weapons and tactics.