How powerful is the JDAM bomb?
JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 pounds (230 kg) to 2,000 pounds (910 kg). The JDAM’s guidance system was jointly developed by the United States Air Force and United States Navy, hence the “joint” in JDAM.
What is a 2000 lb JDAM?
JDAM is a guided air-to-surface weapon that uses either the 2,000-pound BLU-109/MK 84, the 1,000-pound BLU-110/MK 83 or the 500-pound BLU-111/MK 82 warhead as the payload. JDAM enables multiple weapons to be directed against single or multiple targets on a single pass.
How does a JDAM bomb work?
In the air, the JDAM’s GPS receiver processes signals from GPS satellites to keep track of its own position. As with other smart bombs, the control system adjusts the flight fins to “steer” the bomb in the right direction. When everything goes exactly right, the bombs generally hit within a few feet of their targets.
Who dropped the first JDAM bomb?
Air Force
MQ-9 Reaper with GBU-38 JDAMs loaded. CREECH AIR FORCE BASE: The Air Force has added the Joint Direct Attack Munition (GBU-38) a GPS-guided bomb, to the Reaper drone force, dropping the first one in a combat strike in Operation Inherent Resolve on Thursday. Lt.
What does JDAM stand for?
Joint Direct Attack Munition
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or “dumb bombs” into all-weather “smart” munitions.
How much does a GBU 38 cost?
The GBU-38 is a $2000 general-purpose, 500 pound, Mk 82 dumb bomb with an $18,000 guidance system fitted, turning it into a surgically-accurate weapon delivering 192 pounds (89 kg) of Tritonal high explosive from a range of up to 15 miles (24 km).
How much is a GBU 39?
GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
| GBU-39/B (Small Diameter Bomb) | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Boeing Integrated Defense Systems |
| Unit cost | US$40,000 (SDB) US$250,000FY2014 (SDB II) |
| Produced | 2005–present |
| No. built | 17,000+ |
What is a cluster bomb?
Cluster munitions
A cluster munition, or cluster bomb, is a weapon containing multiple explosive submunitions. Cluster munitions are dropped from aircraft or fired from the ground or sea, opening up in mid-air to release tens or hundreds of submunitions, which can saturate an area up to the size of several football fields.
What is JDAM in military?
The Joint Direct Attack Munition is a guidance tail kit that converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurate, adverse weather “smart” munitions. JDAM is a joint U.S. Air Force and Department of Navy program.
When was the JDAM first used?
The Joint Direct Attack Munition saw its first operational employment during Operation Allied Force in early 1999. Approximately 650 JDAMs with approximately 1.4 million pounds of high explosive, employed first by the USAF B-2 bomber, were dropped with stunning accuracy during the campaign.
What is a GBU 56?
The GBU-56/B is the dual-mode, laser and GPS/inertial navigation system [INS], -guided variant of the GBU-31/B 2,000 lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) that utilizes the MK 84 (general purpose) and BLU-109 (penetrating) bombs to afford a moving target capability.
How much does a GBU-38 cost?
What does a JDAM do on a bomb?
When installed on a bomb, the JDAM kit is given a GBU (Guided Bomb Unit) nomenclature, 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, or PGMs.
How does a JDAM close a modal window?
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. When it comes to taking out the bad guys, few pieces of hardware stack up to the Joint Direct Attack Munition. Or, as it’s more commonly known, the JDAM.
How does the joint direct attack munition work?
This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or “dumb bombs” into all-weather “smart” munitions.