MK82-EP wins orders in France and Germany
Enhanced version of 500lb general purpose bomb will be used by Eurofighter, Mirage, Rafale and Tornado aircraft
The MK82-EP general purpose aircraft bomb is to equip French and German aircraft, manufacturer Rheinmetall announced on 2 December.
More than 2,000 examples have been ordered of this enhanced version of the 500lb MK82 bomb, in contracts worth more than €35 million ($42.32 million).
In the first serial production order, from French defence procurement agency DGA, the MK82-EP will arm Mirage 2000 and Rafale aircraft.
The bomb will also be the warhead of the GBU-54 Laser JDAM (LJDAM) that will be installed on German Tornados and Eurofighters.
The MK82-EP can be deployed in freefall mode or as a precision-guided munition in tandem with Paveway, Enhanced Paveway, JDAM and LJDAM or Armament Air-Sol Modulaire kits.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Bell selected over Boeing to build DARPA SPRINT X-Plane]()
Bell selected over Boeing to build DARPA SPRINT X-Plane
The programme first began in 2023 with Bell and Boeing’s concepts progressing to Phase 1B, in which testing has been carried out over the last year.
-
![National Audit Office report highlights major delays in UK’s F-35 programme]()
National Audit Office report highlights major delays in UK’s F-35 programme
The report discloses that while the capability provided by the F-35 is superior to previous UK aircraft, delays from the UK Ministry of Defence on the programme have significantly impacted the country’s warfighting capabilities.
-
![Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports]()
Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports
The E-7A is one of three aircraft submitted for the South Korean AEW&C II competition, which seeks to acquire four more aircraft of the type for its air force by 2028.
-
![France pushes for 80% workshare as FCAS programme nears critical development stage]()
France pushes for 80% workshare as FCAS programme nears critical development stage
Tensions on the programme have long simmered, with Airbus and Dassault recently clashing over workshare in June ahead of the Paris Air Show. The sixth-generation fighter programme is due to replace Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon jets beginning in 2040.
-
![US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk]()
US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk
The trainer aircraft recently completed the second round of extreme weather trials after enduring icy, windy and sunny conditions.
