GBU-27 Paveway III

Also known as

GBU-27
GBU-27/B

The GBU-27 Paveway III is a U.S.-origin 2,000-pound hard-target laser-guided bomb built for internal carriage by the F-117A Nighthawk. Air Force art gives it a 13 ft 10 in length, 5 ft 5 in wingspan, and more than 11 miles of range, while procurement records tie the BLU-109 penetrator warhead to the weapon system.

GBU-27 Paveway III, 2,000-pound hard-target laser-guided bomb, Munitions

Image source: LGB: GBU-27 Paveway III

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Raytheon
Type: 2,000-pound hard-target laser-guided bomb
Service note: Entered service in 1987
Designed: 1987
Unit cost: $55,000 (production unit cost, 1995 GAO report)
Produced: 1987-present
Number built: About 3,200

air-launched guided bomb laser-guidedpenetratorprecision fires

Specifications

Guidance: Semi-active laser guidance
Warhead: BLU-109/B or BLU-116/B penetrating warhead
Length: 13 ft 10 in
Wingspan: 5 ft 5 in
Diameter: 2 ft 4 in
Range: More than 11 miles
Platform: F-117A Nighthawk internal carriage

Variants

GBU-27A/B
EGBU-27

Warhead Compatibility

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

BLU-109 penetrator warhead, 2,000-pound hard-target penetrator warhead, Munitions

BLU-109 penetrator warhead

Penetrating warhead

FY19 Air Force procurement material identifies the GBU-27 as one of the weapon systems that uses the BLU-109 warhead.

Sources: Air Force Ammunition Procurement FY19

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Designed for F-117A Nighthawk delivery as a compact hard-target strike bomb.
Used by: United States Air Force

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Sources

GBU-27 - U.S. Air ForcePublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the primary dimensions, range, and hard-target laser-guided weapon description. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Raytheon Paveway III - Designation-Systems.NetPublisher: Designation-Systems.Net | Note: Supports Raytheon manufacturer context, the F-117 internal-carriage configuration, the 1987 service entry, production count, and GBU-27/B family details. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 GBU-27 - GAO Weapons Acquisition ReportPublisher: Government Accountability Office | Note: Supports the GBU-27 production unit cost and historical program data table. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Air Force Ammunition Procurement FY19Publisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the BLU-109 warhead being listed on the GBU-27 weapon system in FY19 Air Force ammunition procurement material. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 LGB: GBU-27 Paveway IIIPublisher: FDRA Aereo | Note: Supports image provenance for the GBU-27 image used on the page. | Accessed: 2026-06-27