AFL: New light-weight weapon joins Balad arsenal
The Air Force deployed a new satellite-guided bomb designed to maximize precision striking abilities and minimize collateral damage. The relatively light 500-pound GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition was first thrown into battle on October 4 by two F-16s against what U.S. intelligence reported was a meeting of al-Zarqawi terrorists. The military reported minimal collateral damage and disputed reports from Falluja doctors that there were women and children killed. The weapon was designed specifically for close-in support and urban combat.