[Hominem]

Pretty sure the US did this during the first gulf war to destroy stationary targets without the pesky explosion.

[mnemonicsloth]

Back in 1991, IIRC, missiles were smart but bombs were still dumb.

The US seems to have started using concrete bombs in 1999 (against Iraq, but not during either gulf war).

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/07/world/us-wields-defter-wea...

[icegreentea]

They had 'smart' versions of bombs and missiles back in 91. They just didn't have GPS guided ones/cheap guided munitions. They have both now (with cheap in a relative term).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paveway

[hollerith]

To be specific, the relatively cheap GPS-guided bombs that became available after the 1991 Gulf War consisted of new electronics and new tail sections bolted onto ordinary "iron" bombs manufactured many years earlier.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Direct_Attack_Munition

[brudgers]

Guided bombs were used in WWII.

Laser guided bombs made their debut for the US in Vietnam [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BOLT-117]

They were stars of the bombing campaign prior to the ground attack during the first Gulf War. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md00oEyn6kg]

[teamonkey]

British forces used laser-guided bombs in 1991. The target was laser-painted by a Buccaneer, bombs were dropped by Tornado.

[neworbit]

Very little collateral damage when you are hitting someone with a rock as compared to blowing up the surrounding block.