Then what is the point of commissioning the creation of a GPS guided bomb, because that’s a waste of money, none of the logic lines up.
Compatibility is regulated. Nato standard comes with it’s own rule regarding electronic and weapons upgrades and design. Every Nato nation even share a common registry for spare parts acquisition and variants. Is called NUC code.
But anyway this is OT.
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This is from the official USAF website. Telling us what it can be put on and why it was made.
Spoiler
JDAM is currently compatible with B-1B, B-2A, B-52H, AV-8B, F-15E, F/A-18C/D/E/F, F-16C/D and F-22 aircraft. Follow-on integration efforts are currently underway or planned to evaluate compatibility with the A-10, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle.
Background
Desert Storm highlighted a shortfall in air-to-surface weapon capability. Adverse weather conditions limited employment of precision guided munitions. Unguided weapon accuracy was also degraded when delivered from medium and high altitudes. Research and development of an “adverse weather precision guided munition” began in 1992. The first JDAMs were delivered in 1997 with initial operational testing conducted in 1998 and 1999. More than 450 JDAMs were dropped during this testing, recording an unprecedented 95 percent system reliability while achieving a 9.6-meter accuracy rate. JDAM performance has been demonstrated in operationally representative tests including drops through clouds, rain and snow. These tests included a B-2 releasing 80 JDAMs on a single pass against multiple targets.
JDAM and the B-2 made their combat debuts during Operation Allied Force. The B-2s, flying 30-hour, nonstop, roundtrip flights from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., delivered more than 600 JDAMs during Allied Force. This combination of stealth and accuracy has revolutionized air warfare. Growth of the JDAM family of weapons expanded to the MK-82 500-pound version, which began development in late 1999. Enhancements such as improved GPS accuracy, a precision seeker for terminal guidance extended range, in-flight target updating and additional warheads are being demonstrated and tested for future consideration. This part of after drop guidance is super cool as well
It seems to me that having a Sat guided bomb without a datalink would be pointless in a world where CCRP/CCIP exist.
I think these bombs were an afterthought. I doubt the very recent KAB500S can’t change it’s flightpath in flight, same with all but the earliest JDAMs.
This is not accurate at all. Having Sat guidance allows for lobing bombs with much better accuracy. Hell even just dropping in general allows for much higher overflights without the error that will incur on a dumb bomb.
I have a number of sources that are relevant for the JDAM.
a reference directly for JDAM’s Battery life;
This is also supported by the DSU-33C/B airburst fuse being listed as having an operational life of 200 seconds.
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