US NAVAIR announced the air launch tests of its JDAM LR guided bomb using a small turbojet engine to significantly extend the range to sustain level flight.
JDAM LR (Formerly PJDAM, standing for Powered JDAM), using a Mk82 500 lb GPB and based on the JDAM ER winged guidance kit, has been tested from an NAVAIR F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter.
During the tests, JDAM LR travelled a range of 370 km (200 NM), more than triple that of unpowered JDAM ER’s maximum range.
JDAM LR, developed by Boeing [NYSE: BA] , is fitted with a TDI J85 turbojet engine from Kratos, putting out 200 lb of thrust. The purpose of the small turbojet is to allow JDAM LR to overcome the drag that is the primary range limitation on a glide weapon until the fuel runs out. JDAM LR offers a similar reach with air-launched cruise missiles while maintaining a significantly lower cost per unit due to the type of engine and overall layout.
JDAM LR is not only planned to be fitted with the Mk82 GPB but also with alternative bomb types and warheads. Some of these alternatives include the 500 lb Quickstrike air-dropped mine, sharing the Mk82 geometry, and an anti-ship variant utilising the Quicksink kit incorporating a IIR+mmWR seeker.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
