Wind tunnel testing for GBU-38 mixed load configuration on B-52H

The U.S. Air Force is testing out loading GBU-38 smart bombs with other types of munitions while being carried externally on the B-52 bomber.

A scale model of a GBU-38 mounted on a sting is positioned above a scale model of a B-52 Stratofortress in the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., Jan. 14, 2022. The GBU-38 was undergoing store separation testing with various captive load configurations. On the wing, seen in the right of the image, two GBU-31 bombs are installed on a heavy stores adapter beam, the other wing has five CBU-87 munitions. Aircraft models are installed upside down in the wind tunnel for store separation testing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett)

Tasked by the U.S. Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office, engineers from Arnold Engineering Development Complex uses a 16-foot transonic wind tunnel at Arnold Air Force Base to gather separation data when the GBU-38 is carried with different types of weapons such as the GBU-31 and CBU-87 on neighboring stations.

These tests were limited to the two heavy stores adapter beams on the inboard wing stations on the bomber.

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