Found some more info on the AASM:
http://www.sagem.com/aerospace/weapons-and-missiles/aasm
http://www.sagem.com/file/download/d1530e_aasm.pdf

Short version:
AASM is a add-on fin kit (similar to the JDAM kit) for a Mk82/BLU-111 bomb.

• AASM kits associated with Mk82 warheads:
—- SBU-38: INS/GPS guidance
—- SBU-64: INS/GPS/IR guidance
—- SBU-54: INS/GPS/laser guidance
• Extended stand-off
• Multi-target capability
• Moving target capability
• Range of 60km+ from high-altitude, 15km+ from low-altitude
• Fire & Forget
• Multi-target simultaneous attack
• Controlled velocity and angle of attack on impact
• High resistance to GPS unavailability, jamming and target location errors
• MIL-STD-1553/1760 interfaces
• On single, twin or triple store adaptors
• “Zero-maintenance” to reduced life cycle costs
• UAI Certified

Well put Bring_it_on.

For the layman, UAI is a driver and just like in your PC/MAC, the interface (USB port) has to be of a certain standard too. There is even a standard for bomb racks as the BRU-61 (SDB) rack and the new MPBR (Multi-Purpose Bomb Rack) are UAI Complaint.

Here is Test Equipment to verify the interface ( MIL-STD-1760E Class II interface).

UAI is not just for A2G either. It starts as an A2G standard due to that being the area that has the greatest variance of weapons & features, but will eventually cover A2A, UAVs, Pods, etc.

Messaging software for future weapons will be based on UAI (Universal Armaments Interface), an emerging high level interface that’s an extension of the MIL-STD-1760s message set. The intent for UAI is to enable software reuse of common software for weapons’ OFPs (operational flight programs), with the goal of reducing the validation and integration times for new weapons. In addition to weapons, future applications for UAI may also extend to training pods and sensors.

http://www.ddc-web.com/images/CMS/Content/2009/highspeed1760_cover.pdf

This is the best breakdown of features I could find for UAI. Yes, the timelines have shifted significantly just like every other development program.

Currently the F-15E (the development platform for UAI) is in the middle of CV02 (the last half of A2G features) development which will be the mode that the F-35 gets in Blk4.

A good, early (2005) report on UAI is here starting on page 21:
https://www.dsp.dla.mil/APP_UIL/content/newsletters/journal/DSPJ-07-05.pdf

While UAI started as a US backed program, NATO has picked it up in the form of NUAI (NATO UAI). SAGEM has already created NUAI drivers for the AASM which was used to fire an AASM from a US F-16. Turkey has also expressed a desire to have UAI for their SOM A2G missile.

lol.. Rage against the tech much:)

Obviously they would still do carry & drop qualifications, but they would not have to wait for “official” sanction or Block upgrades to do so.

It’s interesting that you use the term “magic”.

While it’s not really that easy, it is already becoming a game changer when it comes to weapons integration. So far all F-15Es have it, Block 40/50+ F-16s are finishing dev for it, F-18E/Fs are getting it in the next block and F-35s are getting it in Blk4.

That does not even includes all the Army assets getting to too (Helos, UAVs, etc).

AIM-120C7s are also consistently being updated so their software > C7 @ 2002 software.

Once Block 4 and UAI arrive, most of these issues with weapons goes into overdrive.

Why not move all the pinned magazine threads into a Sub-Forum?

4 per bay, same as SDB.

Why is this thread no longer pinned?

Why hasn’t anyone reporting on the whole “F-35 can’t carry the SDB-2 till 2022” issue bothered to mention that the weapon is part of the Block 4 upgrade and can’t be used before 2022 anyways?