The Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM ER) demonstrated significant range increase while maintaining its expected accuracy during flight testing conducted by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The testing centered on a new wing kit that, when used in conjunction with the weapon’s guidance kit, increases the bomb’s range from approximately 15 miles (24km) to more than 45 miles (72km), as shown during tests above the Woomera Test Range in Australia.
“The JDAM ER wing kit takes advantage of the conventional JDAM aircraft interface and Small Diameter Bomb glide technology,” explained Beth Kluba, vice president, Boeing Weapons and Missile Systems. “This keeps integration, development and sustainment costs low while bringing customers the range increase needed to neutralize current and future threats.”
The 500 lb (227kg) winged JDAM, jointly developed by Boeing and Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation, was dropped from a RAAF F/A-18 Classic Hornet from altitudes ranging from 40,000ft (12,190m) down to 10,000ft (3,048m). The weapon deployed its wing kit successfully during each test and flew to a pre-determined aim point, impacting within meters of its target.
