Long range JDAM-ER
The United States has decided to supply Ukraine with GPS-guided JDAM-ER (Extended Range Joint Direct Attack Munitions) long-range bombs. writer Bloomberg agency. The article also states that the bomb, which can hit targets 45 miles (about 72 km) away, is Boeing Co. It is stated that it was made by
“The Pentagon has not officially acknowledged sending a modified version of the Joint Direct Attack Munition, only saying it will send “precision-guided air munitions” as part of the $1.85 billion package announced on Dec. 21. But two people familiar with the matter said the weapon was JDAM- “It confirmed it was an extended-range JDAM known as ER.”
Journalists recalled Pentagon spokesperson Kelly Flynn’s remarks that the United States would not identify the munitions for operational safety reasons. According to the publication, JDAM kits are used by the US Air Force and Navy and have been sold to more than 26 countries.
“The JDAM-ER can be mounted on unguided bombs weighing 500 to 2000 pounds (approximately 226 kg to 907 kg). When released, the bomb’s wings expand, allowing it to travel up to 45 miles (72 km) and triple the range of the original weapon. The JDAM long-range bomb was developed in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Support for the Ukrainian counteroffensive
Rebecca Grant, Air Force systems specialist and head of IRIS Independent Research, told the authors that the extended range kits “will greatly increase precision firepower using existing stockpiles of ammunition.”
“I bet this is one of the accelerated proposals put forward by William Laplante, Deputy Secretary of Procurement (and Procurement – socialbites.ca) (US Defense – socialbites.ca),” he suggested.
According to him, JDAM-ERs can be used “to attack the Russian front lines or the rear areas of the second echelon in Ukraine.” Grant also suggested that the bombs would begin to be used “when Ukraine wants to advance”.
The article says Boeing received a $40.5 million order from the Air Force on January 20 under the JDAM contract. According to the agency, the work should be completed by June 30 this year.
According to the authors of the material, the United States and Ukraine “developed a method by which Soviet-era warplanes operated by Ukraine could program and launch the JDAM-ER.”
Military-political expert, adviser to the acting chairman of the DPR, Yan Gagin, on the Rossiya-1 TV channel, said that Bloomberg cannot yet confirm or deny information about the supply of JDAM-ER kits to Kiev.
“We have not encountered these ammunition yet. But if they really put them, then I think there will be practically no safe places on the territory of the DPR and LPR, ”he emphasized.
“The more long-range Western systems come to Ukraine, the more Russian troops will have to push the threat away from the borders,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking in a message to the Federal Assembly the previous day. Russian Federation. According to the head of state, this measure is natural.
Attack on Crimea
On February 1, Reuters reported that the United States has prepared for the first time a new $2.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which will include longer-range missiles.
According to the agency, the US specifically decided to transfer “Boeing Co’s 94-mile (150 km) range small-diameter land-launched bombs (GLSDB)” to Kiev. The authors of the material noted that this could allow Ukraine to hit targets previously unreachable and “further undermine Russia’s position in the rear, helping it continue its counterattacks.”
At the same time, Reuters sources stressed that the United States refused Ukraine’s requests to supply ATACMS missiles with a range of 185 miles (297 km).
As early as January 23, Michael McCall, chairman of the US Congress House Foreign Relations Committee, called for the transfer of American long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev to attack Crimea, where “Iranian drones are located”. found.”