JDAM
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Guided air-to-surface weapon
Date
deployed: 1999
Contractor:
Boeing
Unit cost:
approx. $21,000 per tail kit
Length:
(JDAM and warhead) GBU-31(v)1/B: 152.7 in. (60.1
cm); GBU-31(v)3/B: 148.6 in. (58.5 cm);
GBU-32(v)1/B: 119.5 in. (47 cm)
Wingspan:
GBU-31: 25 in. (10 cm); GBU-32: 19.6 in. (7.7 cm)
Diameter:
unavailable
Speed:
gravity
Weight at
launch: (JDAM and warhead) GBU-31(v)1/B: 2,036
lbs (925.4 kg); GBU-31(v)3/B: 2,115 lbs (961.4 kg);
GBU-32(v)1/B: 1,013 lbs (460.5 kg)
Guidance:
GPS/Inertial Navigation System
Range:
approx. 15 mi
Engine:
none
Warhead:
unavailable |
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Mission:
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a
guidance tail kit that converts existing unguided
free-fall bombs into accurate, adverse weather "smart"
munitions. With the addition of a new tail section
that contains an inertial navigational system and a
global positioning system guidance control unit,
JDAM improves the accuracy of unguided, general
purpose bombs in any weather condition. JDAM is a
joint U. S. Air Force and Department of Navy
program.
Features: JDAM is a guided
air-to-surface weapon that uses either the
2,000-pound BLU-109/MK 84 or the 1,000-pound
BLU-110/MK 83 warheads as the payload. JDAM enables
employment of accurate air-to-surface weapons
against high priority fixed and relocatable targets
from fighter and bomber aircraft. Guidance is
facilitated through a tail control system and a
GPS-aided INS. The navigation system is initialized
by transfer alignment from the aircraft that
provides position and velocity vectors from the
aircraft systems.
Once released from the aircraft, the JDAM
autonomously navigates to the designated target
coordinates. Target coordinates can be loaded into
the aircraft before takeoff, manually altered by the
aircrew before weapon release, and automatically
entered through target designation with onboard
aircraft sensors. In its most accurate mode, the
JDAM system will provide a weapon circular error
probable of 13 meters or less during free flight
when GPS data is available. If GPS data is denied,
the JDAM will achieve a 30-meter CEP or less for
free flight times up to 100 seconds with a GPS
quality handoff from the aircraft.
JDAM can be launched from very low to very
high altitudes in a dive, toss and loft or in
straight and level flight with an on-axis or
off-axis delivery. JDAM enables multiple weapons to
be directed against single or multiple targets on a
single pass.
JDAM is currently compatible with B-1B, B-2A,
B-52H, F-16C/D and F/A-18C/D aircraft. Follow-on
integration efforts are currently underway or
planned to evaluate compatibility with the A-10
F-15E, F-22, F-117, AV-8B, F-14A/B/D, F/A-18E/F,
S-3, and the Joint Strike Fighter.
Background: Desert Storm highlighted a
shortfall in air-to-surface weapon capability.
Adverse weather conditions limited employment of
precision guided munitions. Unguided weapon accuracy
was also degraded when delivered from medium and
high altitudes. Research and development of an"adverse
weather precision guided munition" began in
1992. The first JDAMs were delivered in 1997 with
operational testing conducted in 1998 and 1999. More
than 450 JDAMs were dropped during testing,
recording an unprecedented 95 percent system
reliability while achieving a 9.6-meter accuracy
rate. JDAM performance has been demonstrated in
operationally representative tests including drops
through clouds, rain and snow. These tests included
a B-2 releasing 16 JDAMs on a single pass against
multiple targets in two separate target areas.
JDAM and the B-2 made their combat debuts
during Operation Allied Force. The B-2s, flying
30-hour, nonstop, roundtrip flights from Whiteman
Air Force Base, Mo., delivered more than 600 JDAMs
during Allied Force. This combination of stealth and
accuracy has revolutionized air warfare. Growth of
the JDAM family of weapons expanded to the MK-82
500-pound version, which began development in late
1999. Also, the Navy is currently studying the
effects of adding enhancements such as improved GPS
accuracy, a precision seeker for terminal guidance
and additional warheads.
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