The Australian Defence Force, in conjunction with Hawker de Havilland and The Boeing Company, has conducted the successful initial testing of an extended range Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) variant. The successful tests were conducted at Woomera, South Australia , in mid August.
The development activity was conducted under the Concept Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program managed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).
The CTD Program assists in the improvement or support of priority Defence capability by providing Australian Industry with an opportunity to demonstrate their technology, thereby informing Defence of the potential performance and technical risk associated with its implementation.
The Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM-ER) is a conventional JDAM, enhanced with an Australian designed wing kit which has the potential to significantly increase its range. The wing kit was developed by Hawker de Havilland, based on technology licensed from DSTO.
The Concept Technology Demonstrator has proven that major range enhancements can be provided to existing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Global Positioning System (GPS) Guided Bombs.
Consideration will now be given to further develop the wing kits to bring them to commercial production. If the wing kits prove to be commercially viable, there is likely to be significant Australian industry input in the required manufacturing activities.
Above: An F/A-18 Hornet taxis out with two GBU-32 1000lb JDAM bombs onboard.
Right: Aircraft Research and Development Unit test pilot, Flight Lieutenant Derek Thresher makes his pre-flight checks prior to a JDAM release sortie.
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