Questions about JDRAM and F-22/F-35

Boeing Wins Next Phase of U.S. Air Force Missile Technology Program

ST. LOUIS, May 31, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $4.2 million U.S. Air Force contract for the next phase of the Dual Role Air Dominance Missile — Technology (DRADM-T) program, one of several efforts to develop technologies for the Joint Dual Role Air Dominance Missile (JDRADM).

JDRADM is the first next-generation advanced missile intended to conduct both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions in a single weapon.

DRADM-T focuses on the missile’s propulsion and control systems. Boeing was selected following a competitive six-month Phase 1 study effort. Phase 2 will refine the technologies and configuration, leading to laboratory and ground testing. Boeing’s Advanced Weapons and Missile Systems unit, part of Boeing Advanced Systems, will perform the work in St. Charles, Mo. The contract runs for 32 months.

Keith Smith, Boeing program manager for JDRADM, said, “The selection of Boeing for Phase 2 of the DRADM-T program demonstrates our customer’s confidence in Boeing to develop the key technologies that will make the future JDRADM weapon a reality.”

In 2006, Boeing competed for and won the warhead technology thrust program — Multi-Role Responsive Ordnance Kill Mechanism — of the JDRADM weapon. Boeing is currently executing the program’s Phase 2 design and development efforts.

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q2/070531a_nr.html

1. Does JDRAM bring have a HOBS capability?

2. Will making the missile a bit heavier defeat the purpose of having 1 variant for A2A and A2G?

3. How is a directional seeker head worth the cost? why not just have the missile blow up with the damaging rods like conventional missiles do?

4. Since the missile has a Anti-radar capability, will it also home on jamming?

5. Does anyone know if it has a IR seeker?

6. And finally is the the final solution for the F-35/F-22 if all the above are true? This would totally negate AIM9x