Is there any point in the GBU-27?
I know, this probably not that relevant I don't really find anything about it online.
The GBU-27 is a Laser guided bomb that is exclusive to the F117 and I'd like to know if there is any point in using it?
It's a 2000lb bomb that weights 991kg but has an explosive mass of only 242kg (286kg TNT eq) which makes its damage according to the stat card similar to the GBU-16 1000lb bomb. The 2000lb GBU-10 has a much bigger explosive mass despite being lighter. The only advantage is that it's a Paveway III bomb and therefore has better guidance but apart from that it seems like a 1000lb bomb that adds the weight of a 2000lb bomb.
The data seems to be accurate because the GBU-27 and it has much smaller explosive mass because it's designed to be a bunker buster and penetrate deeply before exploding.
And that's where my question comes in: Is anything of that modeled in game? Is there any advantage of the GBU-27 over the GBU-16 in game? Or is just a useless bomb that you have to stock grind for before unlocking the seemingly better GBU-10?
I know that it hardly matters because ground targets will be easily destroyed by either of them if hit and for still targets there is no point in using laser guidance.
But does it maybe affect naval targets like carriers? I did some basic testing and the GBU-27 seems to perform better than expected against ships but that might also be on where I hit.
Posted Sep 28, 2025, 1:30 PM UTC