Azb REK

Azb
TypeGlide bomb
Place of origin Pakistan
Service history
In service2019 - present
Used by Pakistan
 Nigeria
Wars
Production history
DesignerAir Weapons Complex
ManufacturerGlobal Industrial Defence Solutions
Qaswa Industries
Specifications
Maximum firing range30km-280km
WarheadMk. 81
Mk. 82
Mk. 83
Mk. 84
Flight ceiling9,000 m (30,000 ft)
Maximum speedMach 0.6-0.9
Guidance
system
INS
GNSS
Accuracy<10m CEP (GPS)
<=3m CEP (seeker)
Launch
platform
Fighter aircraft
UCAVs
References[1][2]

The Azb (Urdu: عضب, Sharp) is a family of Pakistani munition guidance kits designed by Air Weapons Complex while marketed for export by Global Industrial Defence Solutions and Qaswa Industries. Also known as the "Range Extension Kit" (REK), it converts conventional General purpose bombs (GPB) into precision-guided glide bombs. Though similar to the American JDAM-ER, it isn't bound to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).[3][4][5][6]

Overview

The Azb is an all weather fire-and-forget weapon that utilizes a tightly coupled INS/GNSS for navigation with later versions like the Azb-81LR also featuring an infra-red seeker for terminal guidance. The kit consists of a guidance unit which has the navigation systems, folding wings which deploy after being dropped from the pylons and an aerodynamic body on a cruciform tail. This allows the launching aircraft to engage targets from greater Standoff ranges, minimizing risk to the aircraft and reducing sortie times. Overall, the AZB is suited for fixed targets, such as installations, bunkers, aircraft hangars, and other high-value targets (HVT).[3]

Variants

Azb-81

First member of the Azb series.

  • Contractor: GIDS, Qaswa Industries
  • Guidance: INS, GNSS, Infrared homing
  • Weight: 80 to 100 kg (180 to 220 lb)
  • Aircraft Compatibility: UCAVs
  • Range: 30 to 40 km (19 to 25 mi)
  • Warhead: Mk. 81/PK-81

Azb-81LR

The Azb-81 Long Range (LR) Small Diameter Bomb, also known as the Boosted-Range Extension Kit (B-REK) is an enhanced version of the Azb-81 revealed in 2024 during the IDEAS-2024 at Karachi. It features a specially designed airframe casing which uses a combination of a gliding systems and a miniature turbojet engine enabling it to reach ranges of up to 200 km.[7][8]

Azb-82

Range Extension Kit for Mark 82 bombs.[3]

Azb-83

Azb-83LR

Enhanced version of the Azb-83 which features upgraded sub-systems and navigation systems. Fitted with turbo-jet engine.[5][3]

Azb-84

Azb-V & Azb-VI

Range Extension Kits for Mark-84 GPBs are under development by GIDS. Revealed during IDEF-2023.[4][9]

Launch platforms

Combat history

Amidst the 2024 Iran–Pakistan conflict, the Pakistan Air Force launched airstrikes on BLA targets within Iran in a military operation codenamed Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar during which PAF utilized Azb REKs to destroy 7 terrorist hideouts.[11]

Operators

See also

References

  1. ^ "Azb Range Extension Kits" (PDF). Qaswa Industries Website.
  2. ^ "GIDS Catalogue" (PDF). GIDS Official Website.
  3. ^ a b c d "Qaswa Industries AZB Range-Extension Kit (REK)". Quwa.org. 2024-12-08.
  4. ^ a b "IDEF 2023: GIDS developing new guidance kit for 'dumb' bombs". Janes. 2023-07-28.
  5. ^ a b "AZB Series Range Extension Kits". Qaswa Industries.
  6. ^ "Pakistan developing smart bombs for export". Intelligence Online. 2025-01-20.
  7. ^ "Qaswa Industries AZB-81LR Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)". Quwa.org. 2024-11-23.
  8. ^ Khan, Bilal (2024-11-22). "Pakistan's GIDS Shines with Strong Munitions Portfolio". Quwa.
  9. ^ "Road to the Future". GIDS Official Website.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Pakistan Plans to Integrate AZB-81L Smart Precision Bomb into Turkish and Chinese Systems Ahead of Export". Army Recognition. 2025-01-20.
  11. ^ "Пакистан нанес ответные авиаудары по Ирану". Sarbaz (in Russian). 2024-01-18.
  12. ^ "Nigeria Takes Delivery of 3 JF-17 Thunder Fighters". Quwa. 2021-05-23.

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