Desert Sting 16

Also known as

DS-16
Desert Sting
Desert Sting (DS-16)

Desert Sting 16 is a UAE-developed air-platform-released precision-guided glide munition from Halcon, part of EDGE Group. EDGE describes the DS-16 as a 23 kg weapon with a 12 kg warhead, GAINS guidance, and a semi-active laser seeker, while Aerospace Global News later named it in the Calidus B-250LA loadout.

Desert Sting 16, Guided glide munition, Munitions

Image source: EDGE Desert Sting 16 product page

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United Arab Emirates
Built by: Halcon
Type: Guided glide munition
Service note: 2010s-present
Designer: Halcon

air-launchedair-to-groundguided munition precision-guided munition

Specifications

Weight: 23 kg
Warhead: 12 kg
Guidance: GAINS (GNSS-assisted INS) with semi-active laser seeker
Accuracy: 3 m CEP in SAL mode; 10 m CEP with GAINS only
Range: Up to 15 km at 220 KCAS from 30,000 ft AMSL

Variants

Desert Sting (DS-8)

Compatible Aircraft

Aerospace Global News said the B-250LA display carried Desert Sting 16 glide munitions among its weapons loadout.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

Calidus B-250, Single-engine turboprop light attack and trainer aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Light-attack aircraft

Aerospace Global News named Desert Sting 16 glide munitions among the weapons displayed with the B-250LA at Dubai Airshow.

Sources: Aerospace Global News B-250LA debut

Timeline

Desert Sting 16 Key Events

Nov 19, 2019
Halcon announces a UAE contract for Desert Sting weapons
Halcon said it had signed a US$1 billion contract to deliver Desert Sting 16 precision-guided weapons to the UAE Armed Forces.
Sources: HALCON Desert Sting contract
Jan 17, 2024
EDGE announces Baykar TB2 integration
EDGE said it would integrate Desert Sting 16 payloads onto Baykar TB2 UAVs under a payload-integration agreement.
Sources: EDGE Baykar payload integration

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Halcon signed a US$1 billion contract in 2019 to deliver Desert Sting 16 weapons to the UAE Armed Forces, and EDGE later announced integration onto Baykar TB2 UAVs in 2024.
Used by: United Arab Emirates Armed Forces

Related Weapon Systems

AGM-12 Bullpup, Air-to-surface guided missile, Munitions

MunitionsAGM-12 BullpupAir-to-surface guided missileThe Martin AGM-12 Bullpup was a U.S. radio-command-guided air-to-surface missile family developed in the 1950s for short-range attack. It entered Navy fleet service in 1959, later expanded into Bullpup B and C variants, and became one of the signature guided strike weapons carried by early attack aircraft.

Gaurav guided glide bomb, Long-range guided glide bomb, Munitions

MunitionsGaurav guided glide bombLong-range guided glide bombGaurav guided glide bomb is DRDO's 1,000 kg-class Indian long-range guided glide bomb. PIB says it was designed by Research Centre Imarat, Armament Research and Development Establishment, and Integrated Test Range, then flight-tested from the Su-30 MK-I in 2024 and Su-30 MKI in 2025, with the 2022 Tejas tableau listing it among Tejas's aerial-launched weapons.

GBU-15 Guided Bomb Unit, Air-to-surface guided glide bomb, Munitions

MunitionsGBU-15 Guided Bomb UnitAir-to-surface guided glide bombThe GBU-15 Guided Bomb Unit is a U.S. unpowered glide bomb built for man-in-the-loop television or imaging-infrared guidance against high-value targets. The Air Force fact sheet says Boeing North American built the legacy version and Raytheon Systems built the enhanced version, while the weapon is now only deployed from the F-15E Strike Eagle.

GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II, Air-launched precision-guided bomb, Munitions

MunitionsGBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb IIAir-launched precision-guided bombThe GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II is a U.S. air-launched precision-guided bomb built by Raytheon for all-weather attacks on moving or stationary targets. Air Force and Navy sources describe it as a 250-pound-class weapon with GPS/INS plus imaging infrared, millimeter-wave radar, and semi-active laser guidance, and Air Combat Command approved F-15E operational flights in 2020.

2.75-inch guided rockets, Guided rocket munition family, Munitions

Munitions2.75-inch guided rocketsGuided rocket munition familyThe 2.75-inch guided rocket family covers BAE Systems' APKWS II laser-guidance kit, including the WGU-59/B guidance section that converts Hydra 70 / 2.75-inch aerial rockets into precision-guided munitions. U.S. Navy and Air Force sources document production, fielding, and employment on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including the A-10 and F-16.

2.75-inch rocket pod, Aircraft rocket pod, Munitions

Munitions2.75-inch rocket podAircraft rocket podThe 2.75-inch rocket pod is a reusable external launcher class for 70 mm aerial rockets on fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Arnold Defense's LAU-68 F/A and LAU-61 G/A product lines show 7- and 19-round launcher families, while Leonardo's AW109 TrekkerM brochure lists external 2 x 70 mm rocket launchers with 7 or 12 tubes.

Sources

EDGE Desert Sting 16 product pagePublisher: EDGE Group | Note: Supports the DS-16 name, origin, Halcon/EDGE manufacturer context, the air-platform-released precision-guided glide munition description, official image provenance, and the listed weight, warhead, guidance, accuracy, and range specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 EDGE Desert Sting 16 brochurePublisher: EDGE Group | Note: Supports the DS-16 family description and technical specifications, including the guidance, warhead, accuracy, and range figures used on this page. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 HALCON Desert Sting contractPublisher: EDGE Group | Note: Supports the 2019 contract announcing delivery of Desert Sting 16 precision-guided weapons to the UAE Armed Forces and the family description that names the DS-16 and DS-8 variants. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 EDGE Baykar payload integrationPublisher: EDGE Group | Note: Supports the 2024 announcement that EDGE would integrate Desert Sting 16 onto Baykar TB2 UAVs. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Aerospace Global News B-250LA debutPublisher: Aerospace Global News | Note: Supports the B-250LA Dubai Airshow display context naming Desert Sting 16 glide munitions among the compatible weapons. | Accessed: 2026-06-27