Boeing wants to recycle jdam bombs under winged missiles: what is the meaning of modernization (photo)
The War Zone was told about the key features of the rocket and its combat potential. In essence, Pjdam consists of four key components: engine, pairs of sliding wings, the main set of guidance, created on the basis of an inertial navigation system with GPS, installed on typical JDAM, and a standard insignificant 226 kg of bomb as warheads. In fact, Pjdam is a small winged rocket, which has a much greater flight range, even compared to the unmanaged JDAM-ER.
For example, a standard Wingless JDAM can fly to a target about 15 km, depending on the height of release. JDAM-ER with wings opened can affect the targets at a distance of 70 km. According to Boeing, Pjdam is expected to be able to hit the targets at least about 480 km. According to Boeing engineers, the use of an existing JDAM guidance system and other components will allow you to equip this missile with any combat aircraft.
Of course, complete integration will need tests to make sure that Pjdam can be safely dropped from the platform. Until it is reported whether the Pjdam concept can be expanded to work with warheads up to 900 kg. This may need to install a more powerful engine. And since the rocket has autonomous nutrition, the future may include the possibility of its use of ground launches. It is noted that the PJDAM has a built -in 1.
2 kW generator, specifically designed to provide energy for additional devices - a guidance system, data transmission, etc. In addition, PJDAM is currently regarded as a possible airborne target. In this case, an additional fuel tank will be installed instead of the warhead, which will increase the flight range to 700 km. "In general, as expected, Pjdam has a number of potential advantages.
First of all, it is the flexibility mentioned above, which allows units in the field to have a ammunition that can be easily convinced according to the task, and if necessary, even turn into false purposes," - said Experts. As for the cost of the rocket, it can be about $ 20-30 thousand per unit. For comparison, the price of one AGM-158A rocket (Jassm), one of the most common US Air Force now, exceeds $ 1 million.
Thus, Pjdam can help countries, including the US, easily increase their ammunition reserves. Ukraine also comes among such states, writers write. It is possible that a new ammunition can reveal its potential in battles against Russian troops. "We continue to work with the United States and their international partners to accelerate the deployment of Powered JDAM to meet urgent needs over the next few years in the Indo-Pacific and other places," the Boeing representative said.