Munitions

Paragon direct attack munition

Also known as
  • Paragon
  • GBU-73/B
  • GBU-73
  • Paragon GBU-73/B
  • Paragon DMLGB
  • Paragon WGU-53A/B
  • Dual Mode Plus
  • Dual Mode Plus LGB
  • Paveway Dual-Mode Plus
  • Paveway Dual Mode Plus
  • Paragon direct attack bomb
  • Dual Mode Laser Guided Bomb
  • WGU-53A/B
  • DMLGB

Paragon is Lockheed Martin's branded Dual Mode Plus laser-guided bomb, a GPS/INS and semi-active-laser direct-attack munition tested from the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and introduced under the Paragon name in 2017. Specialist designation references identify the 500 lb-class all-up weapon as GBU-73/B and the Paragon guidance section as WGU-53A/B, while Lockheed Martin support-equipment literature ties the munition to PMTS training emulation and MRTS mission-readiness testing rather than documented combat employment.

Paragon direct attack munition, Dual-mode laser-guided bomb, Munitions
Image source: Paragon announcement
Support-Equipment Context

Lockheed Martin literature places Paragon in a support ecosystem for training and pre-use checks. PMTS emulates Paragon and DMLGB profiles for live-drop training, while MRTS provides go/no-go mission-readiness testing for the Paragon WGU-53A/B. These are documented support-equipment relationships, not combat-use claims.

Training system

Precision Munitions Training System / PMTS

Emulates Paragon and DMLGB direct-attack profiles.

Mission tester

Mission Readiness Test Set (MRTS)

Lists Paragon WGU-53A/B mission-readiness checks.

Designation cue

GBU-73/B / WGU-53A/B

Specialist designation references map Paragon to the 500 lb-class GBU-73/B.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Dual-mode laser-guided bomb
Service note
2010s-present
Designer
Lockheed Martin
Produced
Announced in 2017

Specifications

Munition class
Dual-mode direct-attack laser-guided bomb
Guidance
Semi-active laser plus GPS/INS dual-mode guidance; laser-only, GPS/INS, and dual-mode employment are described for the Lockheed DMLGB family
Designation
GBU-73/B all-up bomb with WGU-53A/B guidance section
Target set
Fixed, relocatable, and moving targets
Flight-test context
Two Mk 82 inert warheads with Dual Mode Plus guidance kits were released from an F/A-18 Super Hornet during 2016 China Lake tests
Aircraft integration
Successfully integrated on F/A-18; F-16 testing was planned for the second quarter of 2017
Aircraft interface
Conventional MIL-STD-1760/1553 or Universal Armament Interfaces
Training-system relationship
Named as a PMTS-emulated direct-attack weapon profile
Maintenance-test relationship
Named in MRTS go/no-go mission-readiness testing for Paragon WGU-53A/B
Designation And DMLGB Lineage

Public designation references identify Paragon as GBU-73/B, a 500 lb-class Paveway II guided bomb formerly marketed as Dual Mode Plus LGB. Lockheed Martin and NAVAIR background places the earlier DMLGB effort in the same laser/GPS direct-attack lineage, while MRTS literature distinguishes Paragon WGU-53A/B from the earlier Dual Mode LGB WGU-53/B.

Public bomb designation

GBU-73/B Paragon

Paragon guidance section

WGU-53A/B

Earlier DMLGB reference

WGU-53/B on GBU-12F/B and GBU-52/B

Variants

Paragon is the public brand for Lockheed Martin's Dual Mode Plus LGB; designation references split the all-up bomb and guidance-section terminology.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
GBU-73/B500 lb-class all-up bomb designation

Designation-Systems identifies GBU-73/B as Lockheed Martin's Paragon, formerly Dual Mode Plus LGB, and describes it as an improved GBU-12F/B DMLGB derivative.

Sources: Designation Systems Paveway II

WGU-53A/BParagon guidance section

Lockheed Martin MRTS literature lists Paragon as using WGU-53A/B and distinguishes it from the earlier WGU-53/B Dual Mode LGB guidance unit.

Sources: MRTS brochure, Designation Systems WGU listing

Aircraft Integration And Test

Official Lockheed Martin releases place Paragon's early integration and testing on the Super Hornet; the available sources do not document combat employment.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18E/F Super HornetTest and integration aircraft

Lockheed Martin reported 2016 Dual Mode Plus releases from an F/A-18 Super Hornet and later stated that Paragon had been integrated on the F/A-18.

Sources: Dual Mode Plus flight tests, Paragon announcement

Training And Maintenance Equipment

Lockheed Martin product literature connects Paragon to support equipment for live-drop training and mission-readiness checks.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Precision Munitions Training System / PMTS, Live-drop training system for precision-guided munitions, Support EquipmentPrecision Munitions Training System / PMTSLive-drop training round

PMTS emulates Paragon and DMLGB among its precision-guided munition profiles, giving pilots a live-fire training round for dual-mode direct-attack procedures.

Sources: PMTS product brochure

Mission Readiness Test Set (MRTS), Portable mission readiness test set, Support EquipmentMission Readiness Test Set (MRTS)Mission-readiness tester

MRTS literature lists go/no-go mission-readiness testing for the Paragon direct attack munition WGU-53A/B and its Munition Application Program.

Sources: MRTS brochure

Timeline

Paragon direct attack munition Key Events

  1. NAVAIR awards Lockheed Martin DMLGB contract

    NAVAIR announced an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Lockheed Martin DMLGB qualification, production assets, and support equipment, establishing the earlier laser/GPS direct-attack lineage later connected to Paragon.

    Sources: DMLGB contract award

  2. Dual Mode Plus flight tests reported

    Lockheed Martin announced two China Lake flight tests in which F/A-18 Super Hornet releases of Mk 82 inert warheads with Dual Mode Plus guidance kits met the stated mission objectives.

    Sources: Dual Mode Plus flight tests

  3. Lockheed Martin introduces Paragon

    Lockheed Martin announced that its Dual Mode Plus laser-guided bomb would be branded Paragon and described the munition as integrating INS/GPS all-weather moving-target capability.

    Sources: Paragon announcement

  4. Air Force Magazine reports Paragon test context

    Air & Space Forces Magazine reported Lockheed Martin's description of Paragon as a redesign of Paveway Dual-Mode Plus, with Navy F/A-18 flight tests underway and Air Force F-16 testing expected later in 2017.

    Sources: Air Space Forces Paragon report

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Sources

Paragon announcementPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Paragon as Lockheed Martin's branded Dual Mode Plus laser-guided bomb, its INS/GPS dual-mode context, target set, F/A-18 and planned F-16 integration context, MIL-STD-1760/1553 and Universal Armament Interface integration context, and official image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-01PMTS product pagePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Paragon and DMLGB as named PMTS-emulated direct-attack weapon profiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-01PMTS product brochurePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Paragon and DMLGB as PMTS-emulated direct-attack weapon profiles in the product-card specifications and training description. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Dual Mode Plus flight testsPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the 2016 China Lake Dual Mode Plus flight-test context, F/A-18 Super Hornet release aircraft, Mk 82 inert warheads, GPS/INS and laser-guidance context, target set, and MIL-STD-1760/1553 or Universal Armament Interface compatibility. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DMLGB contract awardPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports the 2005 Lockheed Martin DMLGB qualification and production-support contract, the GPS/INS plus laser-guided-bomb capability description, and earlier F/A-18A-D and AV-8B employment context for the DMLGB lineage. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Air Space Forces Paragon reportPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports independent reporting on Paragon as the redesign of Paveway Dual-Mode Plus, the F/A-18 and F-16 test sequence, and Lockheed Martin's claimed cost and moving-target performance context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01MRTS brochurePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports MRTS mission-readiness testing for Paragon direct attack munition WGU-53A/B, Dual Mode LGB WGU-53/B, and the Paragon Munition Application Program. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Designation Systems Paveway IIPublisher: Designation-Systems.Net | Note: Supports GBU-73/B as the Lockheed Martin Paragon 500 lb-class Paveway II guided bomb, formerly Dual Mode Plus LGB, and identifies the earlier GBU-12F/B and GBU-52/B as Lockheed Martin DMLGB variants. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Designation Systems WGU listingPublisher: Designation-Systems.Net | Note: Supports WGU-53/B as a dual-mode laser/GPS guidance section used in GBU-12F/B and GBU-52/B, and WGU-53A/B as used in GBU-73/B. | Accessed: 2026-07-01