Can you dig it?

Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet Engages Moving Targets with JDAM
ST. LOUIS, July 25, 2005 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] successfully demonstrated the capability of a single F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to engage moving land targets during a test at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif.

"This is just another step in our efforts to develop an all-weather multiple moving target engagement capability for the Super Hornet," said Chris Chadwick, Boeing vice president for F/A-18 programs. "We plan to expand on this effort, to meet the goals of precision multiple moving target engagement envisioned in Sea Power 21."

Real-time targeting updates were accomplished using the aircraft's existing Digital Communications System (DCS) to communicate over a standard military link to a 2,000-lb. Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) equipped with a UHF weapon data link module. The weapon data link module included a miniature radio transceiver that transmitted link status back to the aircraft during weapon free-fall.

In the guided release demonstration, the position of the moving target, a radio-controlled panel-side truck, was continuously tracked by the Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) sensor onboard the Super Hornet. Periodic target updates were provided to the JDAM throughout the weapon's flight to the target. As a result, the F/A-18 weapon system successfully guided the inert bomb to within two meters of the moving target - close enough to destroy most moving targets. During a previous flight, two-way UHF link connectivity was verified to 40 miles between a ground-mounted JDAM and aircraft in flight. The UHF weapon data link exceeded expectations in maintaining communications between the F/A-18 aircraft and the JDAM during weapon deployment.

Further demonstrations of the Super Hornet's future precision engagement capabilities are planned for later this year and 2006.

Pfft. Big deal.

They should test it on a moving truck northbound across the Mexico-Arizona border. Now THAT would impress me.

2000 pound?  

how big was the crater?

ed...

20 feet deep and often more than 50 feet wide.
http://www.govexec.com/features/0803/0803s1.htm

Quoted: 2000 pound?   how big was the crater? ed... 20 feet deep and often more than 50 feet wide. http://www.govexec.com/features/0803/0803s1.htm

It depends on the soil conditions but a live JDAM (Mk84) has 945 lbs of HE, its going to leave a mark.

Quoted: It depends on the soil conditions but a live JDAM (Mk84) has 945 lbs of HE, its going to leave a mark.

 
Indeed, as mentioned many times, it will not buff out.

Quoted: Quoted: 2000 pound?   how big was the crater? ed... 20 feet deep and often more than 50 feet wide. http://www.govexec.com/features/0803/0803s1.htm inert. Reading is Fundamental.   TRG

now why would i want to do that and go and spoil all your fun

Quoted: Quoted: 2000 pound?   how big was the crater? ed... 20 feet deep and often more than 50 feet wide. http://www.govexec.com/features/0803/0803s1.htm It depends on the soil conditions but a live JDAM (Mk84) has 945 lbs of HE, its going to leave a mark.

Just curious as to why they call it a 2000lb munition if only contains 945lbs?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: 2000 pound?   how big was the crater? ed... 20 feet deep and often more than 50 feet wide. http://www.govexec.com/features/0803/0803s1.htm It depends on the soil conditions but a live JDAM (Mk84) has 945 lbs of HE, its going to leave a mark. Just curious as to why they call it a 2000lb munition if only contains 945lbs?

Cuz it weighs about 2000lbs?

Is it really that simple?  I thought maybe it had something to do with yields and TNT equivalents?

Quoted: Is it really that simple?  I thought maybe it had something to do with yields and TNT equivalents?

That's nukes.
And Quarter Pounders.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: 2000 pound?   how big was the crater? ed... 20 feet deep and often more than 50 feet wide. http://www.govexec.com/features/0803/0803s1.htm It depends on the soil conditions but a live JDAM (Mk84) has 945 lbs of HE, its going to leave a mark. Just curious as to why they call it a 2000lb munition if only contains 945lbs?

Because its easier to justify paying more for a bomb if it seems like it has more boom.

So was this on I-70 in St. Louis?    

R.

Quoted: So was this on I-70 in St. Louis?     R.

An aerial photo of I-70 in STL certainly looks like a Bomb Damage Assessment recon photo.

Quoted: Pfft. Big deal. They should test it on a moving truck moving mexicans northbound across the Mexico-Arizona border. Now THAT would impress me.

There ya go.

Quoted: Just curious as to why they call it a 2000lb munition if only contains 945lbs?

Because it has 1055lbs of steel casing around the 945lbs of explosives.

Kharn

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: 2000 pound?   how big was the crater? ed... 20 feet deep and often more than 50 feet wide. http://www.govexec.com/features/0803/0803s1.htm It depends on the soil conditions but a live JDAM (Mk84) has 945 lbs of HE, its going to leave a mark. Just curious as to why they call it a 2000lb munition if only contains 945lbs?

The Mk84 weighs 2039 lbs, it has filler of 945 lbs of Tritonal, H6, or in the Navy version PBXN-109.  The remaining weight is the steel body.

Don't worry the steel goes to good use (SHRAPNEL LIKE A MOTHER FUCKER)...a grenade wouldn't be AS DANGEROUS w/ out a metel shell....infact, I would bet the metal shell of a hand grenade is MOST of its weight.

Regardless, a 2k lb bomb against a truck is like using a 12 gauge on a mouse....mad overkill.

That is where Small Diameter Bomb comes in.....not a HUGE boom but it will increase the amount of damage an aircraft can do considerably....it is about the size of a sidewinder missile, satellite guided, and...I wouldn't want one to hit my car.

ETA:  The Small Diameter Bomb (GBU 39) will have a diameter of 6 inches, length of 6 feet, weight of 250lbs, warhead weight of 50lb, and can penetrate 5 feet of steel reinforced concrete.

Picture of the GBU39 detonating above a truck...it had a smart fuze that can be changed by the pilot...probably so that it can airburst over a truck (get those dirty legs) or detonate on contact with a small structure or closer to a tank

Picture of GBU 39 w/ DiamondBack extended range pack (wings...help it glide further)

My God man is there nothing.....NOTHING this aircraft can't do?



btw F-15E's scored LGB hits on airborne (yes that is correct) Iraqi helicopters during Gulf War 1.

When it can go to Thailand, get two blowjobs, bring back one and give it to you THEN it can do anything.
Until then.....

Quoted: My God man is there nothing.....NOTHING this aircraft can't do? btw F-15E's scored LGB hits on airborne (yes that is correct) Iraqi helicopters during Gulf War 1.

Quoted: Just curious as to why they call it a 2000lb munition if only contains 945lbs?

Attaching it to an aircraft, a more accurate representation of its weight would be nice.

Quoted: My God man is there nothing.....NOTHING this aircraft can't do?