18/6/2012 Arie Egozi - israeldefense.com
Boeing recently concluded a series of tests with the variant of the smart bomb used by the Israeli Air Force
Israel is closely following the development of the JDAM smart bomb variant with an increased range, produced by the US company Boeing.
The current variant is already in IAF use, and Boeing is currently developing a variant with an even longer range. It is essentially a “kit” attached to ordinary “iron” bombs, which renders them extremely precise by using GPS and Inertial navigation systems. Through cooperation with Elbit Systems, the kit also has a laser sensor system, which provides the bomb with even greater precision.
Boeing recently concluded a series of wind tunnel experiments with the long-range bomb, and it is expected to begin its production at the end of 2014. It seems that the newer variant will include the addition of steering surfaces, which will provide it with a much greater range than that of the current one.
US sources are also talking of a JDAM variant with an engine that will give it an “enormous” range.
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