JDAM: The Joint Direct Attack Munition GPS Upgrade Kit for All-Weather Precision-Guided Weapons
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs", into all-weather precision-guided munitions. JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km). JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 pounds (230 kg) to 2,000 pounds (910 kg).[1] The JDAM's guidance system was jointly developed by the United States Air Force and United States Navy, hence the "joint" in JDAM.[2] When installed on a bomb, the JDAM kit is given a GBU (Guided Bomb Unit) identifier, superseding the Mark 80 or BLU (Bomb, Live Unit) nomenclature of the bomb to which it is attached.
The JDAM is not a stand-alone weapon; rather it is a "bolt-on" guidance package that converts unguided gravity bombs into precision-guided munitions (PGMs). The key components of the system consist of a tail section with aerodynamic control surfaces, a (body) strake kit, and a combined inertial guidance system and GPS guidance control unit.[2]
The JDAM was meant to improve upon laser-guided bomb and imaging infrared technology, which can be hindered by bad ground and weather conditions. Laser seekers are now being fitted to some JDAMs.[3]
From 1998 to November 2016, Boeing completed more than 300,000 JDAM guidance kits. In 2017 it built more than 130 kits per day.[4] As of February 2020, 430,000 kits had been produced.[5]
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Soviet/Russian bombs use one suspension lug. American weapons like JDAMS use two. Previously they have been fitted to Polish MiG-29s. These MiG-29s were adapted to carry Western munitions. Including work on bomb racks and replacement of Soviet computer systems. However Ukrainian aircraft don’t have time for lengthy adaptations.[40]
It appears that an adapter has been fitted to the existing pylons. This adapter was first used to fire HARM missiles “months” ago. The JDAM however needs to know the aircraft’s speed, location and height before being released to accurately hit its target. This has led to a “smart” pylon being used by Ukraine to provide this information to HARM missile. The “smart” pylon is connected to a smart device via Bluetooth. 10 years ago it was a laptop but it is now suggested that a tablet could do the same job. It allows a pilot to press the button that electronically releases the weapon.
JDAM is currently compatible with:
AV-8B Harrier II
A-10 Thunderbolt II
A-29 Super Tucano[42]
AMX International AMX
B-1B Lancer
B-2 Spirit[9]
B-52H Stratofortress
F-15E Strike Eagle
F-16AM/BM/C/D Fighting Falcon
CF-18 Hornet[43]
F/A-18A+/A++/C/D Hornet
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
F-22 Raptor
F-35 Lightning II[44]
HAL Tejas[45]
KAI FA-50
MQ-9 Reaper: integration in work as of 2015[44]
Mitsubishi F-2
Panavia Tornado
Saab JAS 39 Gripen
Past
JDAM was compatible with the following aircraft:
F-14B/D Tomcat – retired
F-117 Nighthawk – retired
S-3 Viking – retired
Coletti's Combat Aircraft
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