GPS weapons post

This is just an area in case anyone has any interesting stuff to do with GPS weapons.
elp

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/missiles/jdam/images/jdamnew.jpg

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), produced by The Boeing Company, is a low cost guidance kit which converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided “smart” weapons. By adding a new tail section containing an Inertial Navigation System (INS)/Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance to existing inventories of Mk-83 and BLU-110 1,000 pound (450 kg) bombs, and the Mk-84 and BLU-109 2,000 pound (900 kg) bombs, the cost effective JDAM provides highly accurate weapon delivery in any “flyable” weather. JDAM can be dropped up to 15 miles from a target with updates from GPS satellites to help guide the bomb to the target.
JDAM is nearing completion of the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) phase and production contracts for 3139 kits have been signed. Boeing has built over 800 EMD and production JDAMs to date. During EMD, JDAMs were built using production processes, facilities, and people to validate manufacturing processes, support EMD testing, and to produce early operational assets. Initial operational testing has been completed on the B-1 and B-2 aircraft and JDAMs have been delivered to the B-2 wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri and the B-1 wing at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

The JDAM production team includes Honeywell Inc. (inertial measurement unit), Rockwell Collins (global positioning system receiver), HR Textron (tail actuator subsystem), Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems (mission computer), and Lockley (tail fairing), Enser and Eagle-Picher (battery), and Modular Devices Inc. and Lambda (power supply).

The team has achieved a dramatic record of successes in over 245 guided launches from the B-1, B-2, B-52, F/A-18, and F-16 aircraft since Oct. 96. JDAM has recorded an unprecedented 95% system reliability while achieving a 9.6 meter CEP accuracy against a 13 meter CEP (including target location error) accuracy requirement. JDAM performance has been demonstrated in operationally representative tests including drops through clouds, rain, and snow. These tests included a spectacular display of B-2/JDAM conventional firepower in the release of 16 JDAM from a B-2 on a single pass against multiple targets in 2 target areas.

JDAM production rate is expected to exceed 1000 kits per month during production. The Department of Defense plans to buy 87,496 JDAMs for use by the Air Force, Navy, and Marines under the production program that is expected to continue for over a decade. Licenses for export of JDAM have been approved and significant additional sales of JDAMs are expected in the international market.

Growth of the JDAM family of weapons has begun with the Boeing funded Mk-82 500 pound version, which will begin flight testing in early 1999. Additional growth to the JDAM low cost family of weapons potentially includes extending the range to greater than 35 miles, improved GPS accuracy, low cost terminal guidance, and additional warheads. A demonstration of the low cost extended range JDAM is planned for 1999.