GBU-31 JDAM
General Info:
Origin = USA
Manufacture = Lockheed Martin and Boeing [McDonald Douglas]
Guidance method = GPS/INS
Mission = CAS, interdiction, OCA, suppression of enemy air defence, naval anti-surface warfare, amphibious strike
Targets = Mobile hard/soft, fixed hard/soft, maritime
Platforms = B-52, B-1B, B-2, F-15, F-16, F-117, F-14, F-18
Performance:
Accuracy = 42ft (INS) to 98ft (GPS/INS)
Range = 5nm to 15nm
Dimensions:
Length = 177in
Weight = 2040lbs
Warhead:
2,000 pound, Mk84 HE (GBU-31 1B)or BLU109 PE (GBU-31 3B) warhead
2000lbs high explosive Tritonal
Fuse = Impact
The Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) GBU-31 is a tail kit under development to meet both USAF and Navy needs, with the Air Force as the lead service. The program will produce a weapon with high accuracy, all-weather, autonomous, conventional bombing capability. JDAM will upgrade the existing inventory of general purpose and penetrator unitary bombs, and a product improvement may add a terminal seeker to improve accuracy. JDAM can be launched from approximately 15 miles from the target and each is independently targeted.
JDAM is not intended to replace any existing weapon system; rather, it is to provide accurate delivery of general purpose bombs in adverse weather conditions. The JDAM will upgrade the existing inventory of Mk-83 1,000- and Mk-84 2,000-pound general purpose unitary bombs and the 2,000-pound hard target penetrator bomb by integrating a guidance kit consisting of an inertial navigation system/global positioning system guidance kit.
The 1,000-pound variant of JDAM is designated the GBU-31, and the 2,000-pound version of the JDAM is designated the GBU-32. JDAM variants for the Mk-80 250-pound and Mk-81 500-pound bombs are designated GBU-29 and GBU-30, respectively. Hard Target penetrators being changed into low-cost JDAMs included the 2,000 pound BLU-109 and 1,000 pound BLU-110.
Mission plans are loaded to the host aircraft prior to take off and include release envelope, target coordinates and weapon terminal parameters. The weapon automatically begins its initialization process during captive carry when power is applied by the aircraft. The weapon performs bit, and aligns its INS with the host aircraft’s system. Targeting data is automatically down loaded to the weapon from the host aircraft. When the host aircraft reaches the release point within the Launch Acceptable Region (LAR), the weapon is released. Weapon maneuverability and range are enhanced by fixed aerodynamic surfaces (mid-body strakes) attached to the bomb body.
General Info:
Origin = USA
Manufacture = Lockheed Martin and Boeing [McDonald Douglas]
Guidance method = GPS/INS
Mission = CAS, interdiction, OCA, suppression of enemy air defence, naval anti-surface warfare, amphibious strike
Targets = Mobile hard/soft, fixed hard/soft, maritime
Platforms = B-52, B-1B, B-2, F-15, F-16, F-117, F-14, F-18
Performance:
Accuracy = 42ft (INS) to 98ft (GPS/INS)
Range = 5nm to 15nm
Dimensions:
Length = 177in
Weight = 2040lbs
Warhead:
2,000 pound, Mk84 HE (GBU-31 1B)or BLU109 PE (GBU-31 3B) warhead
2000lbs high explosive Tritonal
Fuse = Impact
The Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) GBU-31 is a tail kit under development to meet both USAF and Navy needs, with the Air Force as the lead service. The program will produce a weapon with high accuracy, all-weather, autonomous, conventional bombing capability. JDAM will upgrade the existing inventory of general purpose and penetrator unitary bombs, and a product improvement may add a terminal seeker to improve accuracy. JDAM can be launched from approximately 15 miles from the target and each is independently targeted.
JDAM is not intended to replace any existing weapon system; rather, it is to provide accurate delivery of general purpose bombs in adverse weather conditions. The JDAM will upgrade the existing inventory of Mk-83 1,000- and Mk-84 2,000-pound general purpose unitary bombs and the 2,000-pound hard target penetrator bomb by integrating a guidance kit consisting of an inertial navigation system/global positioning system guidance kit.
The 1,000-pound variant of JDAM is designated the GBU-31, and the 2,000-pound version of the JDAM is designated the GBU-32. JDAM variants for the Mk-80 250-pound and Mk-81 500-pound bombs are designated GBU-29 and GBU-30, respectively. Hard Target penetrators being changed into low-cost JDAMs included the 2,000 pound BLU-109 and 1,000 pound BLU-110.
Mission plans are loaded to the host aircraft prior to take off and include release envelope, target coordinates and weapon terminal parameters. The weapon automatically begins its initialization process during captive carry when power is applied by the aircraft. The weapon performs bit, and aligns its INS with the host aircraft’s system. Targeting data is automatically down loaded to the weapon from the host aircraft. When the host aircraft reaches the release point within the Launch Acceptable Region (LAR), the weapon is released. Weapon maneuverability and range are enhanced by fixed aerodynamic surfaces (mid-body strakes) attached to the bomb body.