Air Weapons: February 17, 2003

Archives

JSOW (Joint Stand-Off Weapon), a longer range version of JDAM, has completed it's testing and will begin mass production in May, 2003. A hundred JSOWs have been used in action, in Iraq and Afghanistan. While both JDAM and JSOW use GPS guidance, JSOW is designed to glide long distances (72 kilometers from high altitude, 27 kilometers when the bomber is flying low). After launching, JSOW's small wings pop out. JSOW is meant to be used with three different payloads. The JSOW A uses a BLU-97 cluster bomb, that contains 145 bomblets meant to destroy anti-aircraft sites or infantry and non-armored vehicles out in the open. JSOW B  dispenses 24 SADARM anti-tank weapons (that seek and destroy tanks as they flutter to the ground.) The JSOW C will uses a 500 pound high explosive bomb, to destroy structures. JSOW can also be fitted with a terminal heat sensitive sensor for pinpoint accuracy. Weight varies from 1065-1500 pounds, depending on payload and sensors. Each JSOW costs about $160,000.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close