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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 1645.PDF
systems was development of the Enhanced Paveway, which added a global-position- ing/inertial-navigation system (GPS/INS) to the laser-guided bomb. Programmed with its co-ordinates, the weapon will fly to the intended target even if laser designa tion is denied or lost. Target to go Increased use of laser-guided bombs was made possible by the proliferation of target ing pods enabling aircraft to self-designate, or illuminate targets for a group of attack ing aircraft. Key was the development of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors that allow targets to be located, identified and designated at night and in reduced visibil ity. Pods are expensive, and their carriage requires costly aircraft weapon-system upgrades, but precision targeting capability is required for coalition operations so most allied nations buy a handful of systems. Technology has provided a solution in the form of the GPS/INS-guided bomb. This seekerless, and therefore relatively inexpensive, weapon is programmed with the target's co-ordinates before take-off or before release, and uses satellite-aided iner- tial navigation to fly itself to the planned impact point. The Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), which is becom ing the NATO-standard GPS-guided bomb, was first used in Kosovo and accounted for half the precision-guided munitions expended during Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan. Future of FLIGHT Compared with laser-guided bombs, JDAMs can be carried by a wider range of aircraft, including bombers. The weapon has turned the ageing Boeing B-S2 into a powerful precision-strike platform in what should otherwise have been the twilight of its career. This gives a hint of how technology is changing military thinking, a process of re-examination that is accelerating as the power of network-enabled operations becomes evident. While almost any aircraft can be used to carry preprogrammed GPS- guided bombs to the battlefield, a targeting pod still offers advantages (even on a B-52), including the ability to generate co ordinates for targets of opportunity, to confirm target identity before weapon release, and for post-strike battle damage assessment. But JDAM's "fire and forget" guidance gives the launch aircraft far greater freedom to manoeuvre. Nowhere is the power of networking for the military more appar ent than in the arena of precision strike Having established their effectiveness, precision-guided munitions are being devel oped in several directions, including greater accuracy, longer range, moving targets and different warheads. While JDAM rou tinely beats its 13m (43ft) accu racy requirement, the military would like to get below 3m to reduce collateral damage. This has been demonstrated under the Damask pro gramme, in which a low-cost imaging-infrared terminal seeker based on automotive tech nology was flight tested on a JDAM. The problem is cost, because JDAM's great advantage is its low price. The weapon is simply a tailkit that converts existing "dumb" bombs to precision-guided muni tions. With production ramping up to almost 3,000 kits a month, cost has been reduced to around $20,000, while a Pave way laser-guidance kit costs $13,000-15,000. Even a low-cost seeker could add 50% to JDAM's cost, which would make a big differ ence over the hundreds of thousands of munitions the US and its allies will buy. The story is similar when it comes to extending JDAM's range, and adapting the weapon to attack moving targets. The mili tary wants the capability, but is concerned about the cost. Experiments have been con ducted using pop-out wing kits to extend the range of JDAM from under 30km (16nm) to over 110km, allowing the launch aircraft to stay out of range of air defences, www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 17-23 JUNE 2003 55
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