GBU-38 JDAM
General Info:
Origin = USA
Type = High Explosive
IOC = 1983
Guidance method = Laser homing
Guidance System = WGU-12B/B or 39A/B or 43/B
Mission = CAS, interdiction, OCA, naval anti- surface warfare
Targets = Mobile hard, fixed soft, fixed hard
Platforms = A-6, A-10, F-14, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-111
Performance:
Accuracy = 27ft
Air Foil Group = BSU-84A/B
Drag = 17
Min Release Alt. = 1500ft
Range = >10nm
Dimensions:
Length = 173in
Diameter = 25in
Fin Span = 37in (extended 78in)
Weight = 2315 lbs
Warhead:
MK 84 for Blast/Fragmentation (945 lbs. Tritonal)
Lethal Radius = 1300ft
Fuse = Contact
Armour = 3in
The Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) GBU-38 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
Type = High Explosive
IOC = 1983
Guidance method = Laser homing
Guidance System = WGU-12B/B or 39A/B or 43/B
Mission = CAS, interdiction, OCA, naval anti- surface warfare
Targets = Mobile hard, fixed soft, fixed hard
Platforms = A-6, A-10, F-14, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-111
Performance:
Accuracy = 27ft
Air Foil Group = BSU-84A/B
Drag = 17
Min Release Alt. = 1500ft
Range = >10nm
Dimensions:
Length = 173in
Diameter = 25in
Fin Span = 37in (extended 78in)
Weight = 2315 lbs
Warhead:
MK 84 for Blast/Fragmentation (945 lbs. Tritonal)
Lethal Radius = 1300ft
Fuse = Contact
Armour = 3in
The Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) GBU-38 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.