The effective use of laser-guided high-precision aircraft weapons (ASP) largely depends on the transparency of the atmosphere (weather conditions, smoke). This shortcoming is lacking in GPS-guided munitions. Such weapons depend on the accuracy of determining the location of the carrier and the accuracy of determining the coordinates of the target. Compared to the laser-guided TSA, GPS-guided bombs are significantly cheaper.
Joint direct attack munition (JDAM) is a relatively inexpensive kit for converting unguided free-falling bombs currently in service with the US Air Force into precision weapons with a CEP of only a few meters. For example, Mk84 (2000 pounds, 904 kg), Mk82 (500 pounds, 227 kg) bombs and other TSA bombs can be equipped with similar equipment.
From the outside, the JDAM kit looks like an elongated conical tail fairing that is screwed (with the most common bolts) to the body of an unguided aerial bomb, instead of its regular tail. Inside the fairing is an inertial autopilot, GPS navigator, battery and rudder servos.
An X-shaped feather is attached to the rear end of the fairing: three of the aircraft are mobile and play the role of rudder and aileron, the fourth is fixed and is a simple stabilizer. Installation of the kit on aerial bombs is carried out by technicians of the airport technical support units. It should be noted that the JDAM system is very resistant to organized GPS jamming by the enemy.
Thus, JDAM bombs can be used in all weather conditions and the standard configuration of this weapon has a range of 24-28 km.
Boeing also developed a new set of wings, with which ammunition can fly up to 75-80 km when dropped from a height of 14 thousand meters. This option was called JDAM-ER (Extended Range – extended range). It seems that it is he who will be delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In addition to the supply of JDAM-ER, information appeared that HIMARS combat vehicles (in the amount of 12 units) with some long-range missiles, the firing range of which reached 150 kilometers, were transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, it is reported that these are not the previously announced small-scale land-launched bombs (GLSDB), but a kind of experimental missile. This information definitely needs more validation.
As before Wrote “socialbites.ca”A lot will have to be reassessed if the Armed Forces of Ukraine transfers sufficient quantities of JDAM-ER ammunition and ground-launched small-bore bombs (GLSDB) to the front lines.
For example, at a distance of 150 km from the line of contact, almost all warehouses with tangible assets – ammunition, fuel, food, aviation technology, clothing and medical equipment – will have to be transported. In other words, we will need to reconsider the locations of all material resource stores and closely address the issues of maximum distribution.
It will also now be necessary to clarify the location of administrative and unloading train stations that may be accessible to JDAM-ER / GLSDB.
Grouping of forces and technical support tools may undergo significant changes. Repair and restoration bodies and related warehouses – artillery weapons, armored and automobile equipment, etc. – will need to be moved to a deeper rear.
Much will also need to be reviewed in the existing command and control system in a special military operations zone. Command, reserve command, rear and auxiliary command and control points must either be moved to significantly greater distances from the contact line or be more carefully camouflaged and radio and radio camouflage measures strengthened. We will have to forget about the previous standards – the distance from LBS to 30-40, 70-100 and 100-150 km. Finally, where they are deployed will need to be changed much more often.
JDAM-ER/GLSDB will have the most significant impact on the functioning of the control points communication nodes, which, as you know, provide the formation of channels of various types of communication and are an integral part of the control points. Just one careless vent could result in an attack on the JDAM-ER/GLSDB bomb transmission center.
Finally, it should be noted that for the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, the concept of the rear has completely disappeared (small-caliber bombs launched from the ground can also reach the northern regions of the Crimea, including Armyansk).
Practically all public authorities, departments and governing bodies of republics and regions can be hit with small-scale bombs.
There is an opinion that the supply of JDAM-ER / GLSDB to the Ukrainian armed forces could lead to much more significant changes in the course of a special military operation than even the transfer of Western-made main battle tanks to the Ukrainian army.
Of course, combating the JDAM-ER / GLSDB imposes higher requirements for the radar reconnaissance system, the degree of combat readiness and the intensity of the combat mission of the anti-aircraft missile forces.
It is possible to hit small-diameter bombs with anti-aircraft missile protection. The Tor short-range anti-aircraft missile system (created in many respects to combat glide aircraft guns) and the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile system can effectively cope with the JDAM-ER / GLSDB. In addition, JDAM-ERs can be successfully hit with S-300PM and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. JDAM-ER carriers, which are military air defense vehicles, are quite capable of Buk M2 and M3 air defense systems. So, the Russian army has something to oppose to the new precision-guided munitions.
Among other things, the moments with a plus sign for the Russian Aerospace Forces in case the enemy uses JDAM-ER bombs are as follows. This type of ammunition can only be used from converted carrier aircraft, and to achieve the maximum range of combat use, the aircraft must rise into the stratosphere, that is, to altitudes of more than 12 km.
Firstly, the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently do not have many combat aircraft on which the JDAM-ER can be hung, and secondly, raising the combat vehicle to a height close to the line of contact makes the carrier aircraft a relatively easy target for the Russians. anti-aircraft missiles, complexes and systems.
The former relative success of using such weapons by the US Air Force is explained quite simply. The opposing side either had weak anti-aircraft missile protection for troops and facilities, or in some cases completely absent (as in Afghanistan, for example).
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the opinion of the editors.
Author biography:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military observer of socialbites.ca, a retired colonel.
Graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-aircraft Missile School (1976),
Air Defense Military Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile battalion (1980–1983).
Deputy commander of an anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986–1988).
Senior officer of the Main Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988–1992).
Chief of the General Staff Main Operations Directorate (1992–2000).
Graduate of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (1998).
Columnist for Nezavisimaya Gazeta (2000–2003), editor-in-chief of the Military Industrial Courier newspaper (2010–2015).