Industry
Bombs for the Polish F-16 Jets Made in Bydgoszcz?
Nitro-Chem S.A. chemical plant, belonging to the Polish Armaments Group, in collaboration with the RWM Italia company which belongs to Rheinmetall Defence, is inclined to initiate production of Mk-82 and Mk-84 bombs, used by the Polish F-16 Jastrząb jets. This step is going to increase the level of national security, as Poland would become independent from foreign suppliers. The initiative would also be creating options of potential export to the third markets.
On 17th May 2017, a letter of intent is going to be signed by and between the “Nitro-Chem” S.A. company and RWM Italia, belonging to the German Rheinmetall Defence group. The aforesaid company is a manufacturer of bombs, which means that the domestically manufactured ordnance would meet the strict, qualitative requirements for being used as a component of the guided bomb units (e.g. GBU-12 and GBU-38) utilized by the Polish Air Force. This step is going to increase the level of national security, as Poland would become independent from foreign suppliers, creating options of potential export to the third markets.
It shall also be noted that the domestic production would diminish the cost of bombs, and simplify the processes of this kind. This is crucial especially now, when the Polish Air Force carries out numerous procurement procedures, with regards to the aircraft ordnance. Only in December 2016, the Polish Armed Forces have initiated tenders concerning: 550 Mk-82 general purpose bombs, 480 GBU-12 Paveway II bombs and 440 GBU-38 JDAM bomb units. On 30th November, the Armament Inspectorate announced that steps are going to be taken to procure 200 guided training bombs – this purchase is going to be covered by an amount of PLN 12 million.
500 lbs Mk-82 bomb and 2000 lbs Mk-84 bomb remain the standard ordnance utilized by the NATO air forces. They may also be carried, in guided and unguided variants, by the Polish F-16C/D fighter aircraft. Mk-82 and Mk-84 bombs may also be easily transformed into Paveway or JDAM units, with the use of proper conversion kits. In order to achieve the above, the bomb body is attached to stabilizers and INS/GPS or laser guidance units.