GBU-58 Paveway II

The GBU-58 Paveway II is a U.S.-origin 250-pound laser-guided bomb in the Paveway II family, built around an Mk 81 warhead and semi-active laser guidance. Open-source reporting from Afghanistan documents the Afghan Air Force dropping the munition from an A-29 Super Tucano in combat in March 2018.

GBU-58 Paveway II, 250-pound laser-guided bomb, Munitions

Image source: First laser-guided bomb dropped on Taliban in Farah, Afghanistan (22 March 2018).webm

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Raytheon
Type: 250-pound laser-guided bomb
Service note: Paveway II family in service from the 1970s; Afghan Air Force combat use documented in 2018
Produced: 1970s-present
Variants: GBU-58/B, GBU-59/B Enhanced Paveway II

air-deliveredguidedprecision fires

Specifications

Weight class: 250 lb / 113.4 kg class
Warhead: Mk 81 bomb body
Guidance: Semi-active laser homing Paveway II seeker
Airfoil group: MXU-1006/B
Launch domain: Air-to-surface free-fall guided bomb

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Air-launched laser-guided bomb; open-source reporting documents Afghan Air Force combat use from an A-29 Super Tucano in 2018.
Used by: Afghan Air Force

Carrier Aircraft

Military.com and the associated public-domain footage document the Afghan Air Force using the GBU-58 on an A-29 Super Tucano in combat.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

A-29 Super Tucano

Light attack aircraft

Military.com reported an Afghan A-29 squadron using a GBU-58 in combat, and the associated footage shows the munition being dropped on a Taliban compound in March 2018.

Sources: Afghan A-29 drops first laser-guided bomb on Taliban

GBU-58 Paveway II Videos

First Laser-Guided Bomb Dropped On Taliban

GBU-58 Paveway II Images

GBU-58 Paveway II, 250-pound laser-guided bomb, Munitions - view 1 — Source: First laser-guided bomb dropped on Taliban in Farah, Afghanistan (22 March 2018).webm

GBU-58 Paveway II, 250-pound laser-guided bomb, Munitions - view 2 — Source: GBU53 Strike.gif

GBU-58 Paveway II, 250-pound laser-guided bomb, Munitions - view 3 — Source: First laser-guided bomb dropped on Taliban in Farah, Afghanistan (22 March 2018).webm

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Sources

Raytheon Paveway IIPublisher: Designation-Systems.net | Note: Supports the exact GBU-58/B designation, the 250 lb Mk 81 warhead, the Paveway II guidance family, and the GBU-59/B Enhanced Paveway II follow-on. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 GBU-12/58 Paveway IIPublisher: Federal Register | Note: Supports the 250-pound Paveway II description and reflected-laser-energy guidance for the GBU-58. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Paveway BombPublisher: RTX | Note: Supports Raytheon/RTX Paveway family background and the conversion of unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Afghan A-29 drops first laser-guided bomb on TalibanPublisher: Military.com | Note: Supports the Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano carrying and dropping a GBU-58 Paveway II in combat in March 2018. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 GBU53 Strike.gifPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing page for the GIF used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 First laser-guided bomb dropped on Taliban in Farah, Afghanistan (22 March 2018).webmPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing page for the preview still used as the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23