What is a GBU 54?
What is a GBU 54?
The GBU-54 is the Air Force’s newest 500-pound precision weapon, equipped with a special targeting system that uses a combination of Global Position System and laser guidance to accurately engage and destroy moving targets.
What does JDAM stand for?
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or “dumb bombs” into all-weather “smart” munitions.
How do JDAM work?
The basic design of the JDAM bomb In the air, the JDAM’s GPS receiver processes signals from GPS satellites to keep track of its own position. As with other smart bombs, the control system adjusts the flight fins to “steer” the bomb in the right direction.
How accurate are JDAM?
In its most accurate mode, the JDAM system will provide a minimum weapon accuracy CEP of five meters or less when a GPS signal is available. If the GPS signal is jammed or lost, the JDAM can still achieve a 30-meter CEP or less for free flight times up to 100 seconds.
How much does a GBU 32 cost?
Unit Cost: Approximately $20,000. Length: (JDAM and warhead) GBU-31 (v) 2/B: 152.7 inches (387.9 centimeters); GBU-31 (v) 4/B: 148.6 inches (377.4 centimeters); GBU-32 (v) 2/B: 119.5 inches (303.5 centimeters); GBU-38/B: 92.64 inches.
What fires a JDAM?
JDAM is a joint U.S. Air Force and Department of Navy program. JDAM is a guided air-to-surface weapon that uses either the 2,000-pound BLU-109/MK 84, the 1,000-pound BLU-110/MK 83 or the 500-pound BLU-111/MK 82 warhead as the payload.
How many JDAMs can a f16 carry?
15 JDAMS
The U.S. Air Force has successfully tested a new loadout for the F-15E Strike Eagle that allows the highly capable multirole fighter to carry a whopping 15 JDAMs at once, though it won’t be able to leverage them all in a single sortie.
Can JDAM hit a moving target?
A standard JDAM, guided by a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, can hit fixed targets but not moving targets.
Who dropped the first JDAM bomb?
Air Force
MQ-9 Reaper with GBU-38 JDAMs loaded. CREECH AIR FORCE BASE: The Air Force has added the Joint Direct Attack Munition (GBU-38) a GPS-guided bomb, to the Reaper drone force, dropping the first one in a combat strike in Operation Inherent Resolve on Thursday.
What is a BDU 33?
The BDU-33 is a 25-pound training munition used to simulate the M1a-82 500-pound bomb. It is approximately 22 and a half inches long and is blue in color. Although the training munition is inert, it is equipped with a small pyrotechnic charge and should not be handled. (
What’s the difference between GBU and GBU-32 JDAM?
There is some confusion over the precise designations of the JDAM family. The 1,000-pound variant of JDAM is designated the GBU-32, and the 2,000-pound version of the JDAM is designated the GBU-31.
How big is a GBU 29 JDAM bomb?
The JDAM kit for the Mk-81 250-pound bomb is reportedly designated GBU-29. Hard Target penetrators being changed into low-cost JDAMs included the 2,000 pound BLU-109 [GBU-31] and 1,000 pound BLU-110 [GBU-35].
What kind of bomb was the GBU-54?
One was the GBU-38, a standard 500-pound JDAM that used a GPS guidance control unit to guide it to the target and the GBU-12, a 500-pound laser guided bomb. “So what this (the GBU-54) does is combine the benefits of both of those into one weapon,” Captain Ilchena said.
How does the joint direct attack munition ( JDAM ) work?
The Joint Direct Attack Munition ( JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or “dumb bombs” into all-weather “smart” munitions. JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km).
