Australia tests extended range JDAM's.

[Aussie Digger]

tests of Extended range ‘smart’ bombs​

The Department of Defence, in conjunction with Hawker de Havilland and The Boeing Company, has conducted the successful initial testing of an extended range Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) variant. The successful tests were conducted at Woomera, South Australia, in mid August.

The development activity was conducted under the Concept Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program managed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

The CTD Program assists in the improvement or support of priority Defence capability by providing Australian Industry with an opportunity to demonstrate their technology, thereby informing Defence of the potential performance and technical risk associated with its implementation.

The Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM-ER) is a conventional JDAM, enhanced with an Australian designed wing kit which has the potential to significantly increase its range. The wing kit was developed by Hawker de Havilland, based on technology licensed from DSTO.

The Concept Technology Demonstrator has proven that major range enhancements can be provided to existing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Global Positioning System (GPS) Guided Bombs.

Consideration will now be given to further develop the wing kits to bring them to commercial production. If the wing kits prove to be commercially viable, there is likely to be significant Australian Industry input in the required manufacturing activities.

Obtained from: www.defence.gov.au

Also located here was:

First TEST OF ‘SMART’ BOMBS FOR AUSTRALIA’S HORNETS

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The first integration tests of the new Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) ‘smart’ bombs on the RAAF’s F/A-18 Hornets were successfully conducted at Woomera, South Australia, in early August.

The new ‘smart’ bombs provide Australian F/A-18 Hornets with a state-of-the-art weapon capability that can be accurately employed during day or night and in all weather conditions.

The ‘smart’ bomb uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to provide improved accuracy and precision.

Operational testing of the JDAM bombs is due to commence in October 2006 in order to reach an initial operational capability in mid 2007.

These are both examples of good news for RAAF's advancing combat capabilities. With recent examples of bad news, including the Wedgetail AWACS delay's it makes a nice change...

I'll post some images when they're up...

 

[Todjaeger]

Interesting, is the wing kit for a glider-bomb or is there some kind of propulsion as well? If the wing is for glider delivery, the US might be interested in it as well.

Recently research has started on a glider delivery system for lightweight torpedoes as part of the P-8 MMA. The idea was to allow the MPA to engage detected subs while remaining at cruising altitudes of 30k ft. The current parachute system used by P-3Cs apparently requires the aircraft to descend to 13k ft or less.

Either way, good job and looking forward to images.

 

[Aussie Digger]

I've posted all the images here:

http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5277

You can see both "standard" and ER JDAM's are being trialled here both in 500lbs and 1000lbs variants. Supposedly RAAF became interested in the Mk 83 1000lbs bomb during GW2 when it previously only used 500lbs or 2000lbs Mk 80 series bombs.

I guess the explosive effect of the 2000lbs is a bit much for most occasions and the 500lbs not enough on some???

 

[swerve]

Interesting, is the wing kit for a glider-bomb or is there some kind of propulsion as well? If the wing is for glider delivery, the US might be interested in it as well.

The MBDA Diamondback wing kit for bombs (been around for a few years) has been tested by the USAF with JDAM & SDB. Not sure if they've bought it yet, but I think they may have done.

 

[cherry]

This isn't related to the JDAM but is to the F/A-18.

400m Hornet radar contract 'dumped'
Wednesday Sep 13 06:57 AEST
<DIV id=body>A $400 million contract for an Australian firm to produce radar and electronic sensors for the RAAF's fleet of Hornet fighter jets will be dumped after the equipment was found to be an expensive failure.
Known as the ALR2002, the electronic warfare self-protection system developed by BAE Systems, the Adelaide company that won the contract, was selected despite expert advice against the technology, Fairfax Newspapers report.
Fairfax says Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has accepted the findings to dump the Australian-made electronic warfare from the Hornets and will take the recommendation to Cabinet.
RAAF engineers could not install the system, which enables a pilot to detect enemy missiles and anti-aircraft fire and take evasive action or launch a strike.

 

[rossfrb_1]

tests of Extended range ‘smart’ bombs​

{snip}
Operational testing of the JDAM bombs is due to commence in October 2006 in order to reach an initial operational capability in mid 2007.

These are both examples of good news for RAAF's advancing combat capabilities. With recent examples of bad news, including the Wedgetail AWACS delay's it makes a nice change...

I'll post some images when they're up...

and jassm by 2009 apparently
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20375226-31477,00.html

and alr67 whenever...?
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20403645-2702,00.html

Maybe that last one deserves a seperate thread.
But I presume that the related alr 2001 gear will still be used on the Blackhawks and Chinooks?

rb