US Shifts to Gravity Bombs After Weakening Iran’s Air Defence Systems

United States Adopts Precision Gravity Bomb Strategy in Military Operations Against Iran

The United States has announced a tactical shift in its ongoing military campaign involving Iran . According to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth , Iranian air defence systems have been significantly degraded following several days of military operations. With reduced resistance in the airspace, the US military now plans to deploy precision-guided gravity bombs weighing 500, 1,000 and 2,000 pounds , indicating a transition from long-range stand-off strikes to direct aerial bombardment after establishing air superiority.

Earlier Dependence on Stand-Off Weapons

Before this shift, US forces relied heavily on stand-off munitions that allow attacks from beyond the reach of enemy air defences. Weapons such as the Tomahawk Cruise Missile were launched from naval vessels, stealth aircraft and drones to strike strategic targets. Unmanned systems like the LUCAS were also used to target radar facilities and surface-to-air missile networks. These operations aimed to neutralise defensive infrastructure before deploying aircraft for closer-range strikes.

What Are Gravity Bombs?

Gravity bombs, often called free-fall bombs , are unpowered weapons that descend toward a target using gravity and aerodynamic forces after release from an aircraft. Unlike cruise missiles, they lack propulsion systems. However, modern versions can achieve high accuracy through Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits. These kits incorporate GPS navigation and adjustable fins that guide the bomb toward precise coordinates. Such weapons have been widely used in conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

Conventional and Nuclear Variants

The bombs planned for current operations are conventional explosives , typically costing about $25,000–$30,000 when equipped with JDAM kits. In contrast, the US also maintains nuclear gravity bombs such as the B61 Nuclear Bomb and B83 Nuclear Bomb , whose deployment requires direct presidential authorisation due to their immense destructive potential.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• Gravity Bombs: Unpowered bombs that rely on gravity after release from aircraft.

• JDAM Kits: Convert conventional bombs into GPS-guided precision weapons .

• Mark 80 Series: Main family of US conventional gravity bombs.

• Air Supremacy: Situation where one side controls airspace with minimal enemy resistance.

• Operational Platforms: Deployed from aircraft such as F-35 Lightning II and B-52 Stratofortress .