On the way....... (pics)

[Mathman]

Hello Mr. Taliban, we have a gift for you.  We will be delivering it shortly.

 

 

 

 
This is a JDAM, pretty cool.  I didn't know they were operational yet.  I guess they are, though maybe we need to ask the Taliban if they really are.  

[Mathman]

Oh, and these pics are available on the DoD website.  They have high res versions too.  I use several pics from there as wallpaper for my comp.

[Ripsnort]

JDAM is a Boeing product, last I heard the program was 'accelerated'..but that was 3 weeks ago.  

[-ammo-]

Originally posted by Ripsnort:
JDAM is a Boeing product, last I heard the program was 'accelerated'..but that was 3 weeks ago.  

actually JDAM has been operational for at least a year. We recieved the tech data and some of the components at the bomb dump last year. Its quite impressive. however it doesnt fill the niche that AGM-130 or GBU-15 does. Both of these weapons are more accurate and the AGM has a standoff range of 50+ miles. All three will deliver a 2K warhead (Mk 84 conventional bomb, or a BLU-109 penetrator bomb) The advantage that JDAM holds is known by the munitions technician. JDAM- Open a container, take the guidance and control section out of teh can, go through the brief inspection. Bolt it to the bomb, put bomb on trailer, load on AC. AGM 130 and GBU-15-- gather the several components (7). inspect all of them, put them together, inspect and test again. load up on trailor and send to the AC. Jdam-- .45-1.5 hours of prep time, AGM-130-- 4-6 hours prep time and labor intensive.

The JDAM laden AC can drop everyone one of his weapons on different targets and leave the area with assurance that they will all score. The AGM-130 AC can drop one of his bombs and steer it into a window (JDAM cannot do this)

[Hangtime]

Boeing Military Aerospace... making lotsa things on the ground vanish for more than 50 years

[Nifty]

Originally posted by Hangtime:
Boeing Military Aerospace... making lotsa things on the ground vanish for more than 50 years

They need to do better then.  I mean only keeping them vanished for 50 years?  How come they can't make things on the ground vanish permanently!  

[Ripsnort]

Ammo, you must have missed the wink   ("Accelerated", get it?)

Here's some more info:

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), produced by The Boeing Company, is a low cost guidance kit
                       which converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided “smart” weapons. By adding a
                       new tail section containing an Inertial Navigation System (INS)/Global Positioning System (GPS)
                       guidance to existing inventories of Mk-83 and BLU-110 1,000 pound (450 kg) bombs, and the Mk-84
                       and BLU-109 2,000 pound (900 kg) bombs, the cost effective JDAM provides highly accurate weapon
                       delivery in any “flyable” weather. JDAM can be dropped up to 15 miles from a target with updates from
                       GPS satellites to help guide the bomb to the target.

                       JDAM is nearing completion of the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) phase and
                       production contracts for 3139 kits have been signed. Boeing has built over 800 EMD and production
                       JDAMs to date. During EMD, JDAMs were built using production processes, facilities, and people to
                       validate manufacturing processes, support EMD testing, and to produce early operational assets. Initial
                       operational testing has been completed on the B-1 and B-2 aircraft and JDAMs have been delivered to
                       the B-2 wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri and the B-1 wing at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

                       The JDAM production team includes Honeywell Inc. (inertial measurement unit), Rockwell Collins
                       (global positioning system receiver), HR Textron (tail actuator subsystem), Lockheed Martin Tactical
                       Defense Systems (mission computer), and Lockley (tail fairing), Enser and Eagle-Picher (battery), and
                       Modular Devices Inc. and Lambda (power supply).

                       The team has achieved a dramatic record of successes in over 245 guided launches from the B-1, B-2,
                       B-52, F/A-18, and F-16 aircraft since Oct. 96. JDAM has recorded an unprecedented 95% system
                       reliability while achieving a 9.6 meter CEP accuracy against a 13 meter CEP (including target location
                       error) accuracy requirement. JDAM performance has been demonstrated in operationally representative
                       tests including drops through clouds, rain, and snow. These tests included a spectacular display of
                       B-2/JDAM conventional firepower in the release of 16 JDAM from a B-2 on a single pass against
                       multiple targets in 2 target areas.

                       JDAM production rate is expected to exceed 1000 kits per month during production. The Department of
                       Defense plans to buy 87,496 JDAMs for use by the Air Force, Navy, and Marines under the production
                       program that is expected to continue for over a decade. Licenses for export of JDAM have been
                       approved and significant additional sales of JDAMs are expected in the international market.

                       Growth of the JDAM family of weapons has begun with the Boeing funded Mk-82 500 pound version,
                       which will begin flight testing in early 1999. Additional growth to the JDAM low cost family of weapons
                       potentially includes extending the range to greater than 35 miles, improved GPS accuracy, low cost
                       terminal guidance, and additional warheads. A demonstration of the low cost extended range JDAM is
                       planned for 1999.

[ 10-09-2001: Message edited by: Ripsnort ]

[highflyer]

Ive seen em, they are ordinary bombs with attachments.


Still doesnt compare to when I Touched a Nuclear Weapon.

Strange feeling, knowing that your standing next to what can end anything.

[-ammo-]

Originally posted by highflyer:
Ive seen em, they are ordinary bombs with attachments.


Still doesnt compare to when I Touched a Nuclear Weapon.

Strange feeling, knowing that your standing next to what can end anything.

I gotta know-- how did you get close to a special weapon, were you AF? I have worked close with those things and it was a pain in my side. I hated all that came with it.

[Sky Viper]

Originally posted by highflyer:
Ive seen em, they are ordinary bombs with attachments.


Still doesnt compare to when I Touched a Nuclear Weapon.

Strange feeling, knowing that your standing next to what can end anything.

Hmm...forgive my scepticism, but "ordinary bombs", "touching a Nuke"  ???


US SSBN...Thousands of Sailors have slept with Nukes. (actually it's probably Millions now)
Not to mention the communication chain of folks who had the virtual "Power to launch" around them 24/7.

Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, is ordinary about any bomb!

Viper
Vet. USN

[-ammo-]

Originally posted by Sky Viper:


Hmm...forgive my scepticism, but "ordinary bombs", "touching a Nuke"  ???


US SSBN...Thousands of Sailors have slept with Nukes. (actually it's probably Millions now)
Not to mention the communication chain of folks who had the virtual "Power to launch" around them 24/7.

Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, is ordinary about any bomb!

Viper
Vet. USN

I gotta agree with that last statement.

13 years as a munitions tech saying that. You respect even the smallest explosive component.