Editor’s Note: The following report is excerpted from Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin, the premium online newsletter published by the founder of WND. Subscriptions are $99 a year or, for monthly trials, just $9.95 per month for credit card users, and provide instant access for the complete reports.
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A new bomb technology developed by Australia and the U.S. will allow Israel’s jet fighter pilots to strike inside Syria or Lebanon without ever leaving their own airspace should there be another conflict in the region, changing the dynamics of the Middle East conflict, according to a report from Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.
It is called the JDAM-ER, or Joint Direct Munitions-Extended Range, and essentially takes a dumb bomb and turns it into a smart bomb.
Among the modifications is the addition of a set of folding wings that extend the range to more than three times the range of a baseline JDAM, or Mk-84 2000-pound bomb, reportedly increasing the range from 15 to some 55 nautical miles.
Another modification converts existing unguided bombs into bombs directed to their targets using GPS technology.
Even before the JDAM is released, it begins to receive data while still attached to the computer inside the aircraft.
Upon release, a satellite then guides the bomb to its target. The aircraft and crew then don’t have to remain in enemy territory to “ride the bomb down” to its target, according to officials.
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This enhanced capability allows the bomb to hit its target accurately regardless of weather conditions, day or night.
The ER kit also is designed to be installed in the field to existing JDAM weapons.
JDAM bombs already are available for all the fighting aircraft of the U.S. inventory. They include the B-1B, B-2A, B-52H, F-16C/D, F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, F-15E, F/A-22, F-35, A-10A, S-3, F-117, AV-8B, and F-14A/B/D. They also are available for aircraft in development and for foreign aircraft.
While the kits are available now to attach to existing JDAMs, a JDAM-ER bomb is expected to enter into production in 2010 as a joint effort of the Australian Air Force and Boeing.
“We have demonstrated the impressive capability enhancement that an affordable modular wing kit can bring to JDAM weapons, while simultaneously setting the engineering foundation that will facilitate the fielding of an Australian-designed wing kit to JDAM users around the globe,” said Bart Volpe, Boeing JDAM International program manager.
A number of Boeing’s 16 international JDAM customers reportedly are showing interest in acquiring the extended range capability for their own JDAM bombs.
For Israel, the ER version of the JDAM also is seen as giving Israel a longer-range capability of striking Iranian nuclear sites. Pilots could release the bombs from afar and avoid anti-aircraft defense missiles.
The Israeli version is said to be capable of using laser guidance as well as standard GPS. Its version of the JDAM also is protected against electronic jamming.
Israel recently upgraded its F-15 fleet to carry the JDAMs.
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