Monday, September 25, 2000
Upgrades boast pinpoint accuracy for B-1B bombers
By Sidney Schuhmann
Reporter-News Staff Writer
A jet-powered missile that can be launched
far from enemy targets, at any time of day and under adverse weather
conditions, is being tested for the B-1B bomber.
Scaled-down models of the joint air-to-surface standoff missile,
or JASSM, were tested this summer at Arnold Air Force Base in
Tennessee on a model B-1B Lancer. This weapon, along with another
developing missile, the Navy’s joint standoff weapon, or
JSOW, would allow the B-1 to attack a target from outside enemy
defenses undetected.
Dyess Air Force Base is home to 40 Lancers.
“They (enemies) will have a difficult time finding our weapon,”
said Lt. Col. Tim Moore, JASSM deputy program manager. “We’re
going to give them a challenge.”
An aircraft equipped with the JASSM weapon releases the subsonic
cruise missile far from the enemy target. The missile carries
a penetrating warhead with pinpoint accuracy.
The JSOW, though, is not motor-guided and must glide from the
plane to its target.
Both missiles are being tested for the B-1 as part of its next
upgrade, called Block E. The upgrade includes new precision-guided
weapons and modernized avionics.
Flight-tests for the new weapons will begin in fall 2002, and
the B-1 could be modified to carry the missiles by 2003, Moore
said.
Block E follows on the heels of Block D upgrades, which were introduced
to the Dyess B-1s earlier this year. Block D upgrades were the
most significant modifications the Lancer has received since it
was introduced at Dyess 15 years ago.
About half of Dyess’ Lancers have already received the Block
D modifications, and the rest should be upgraded by next year.
The Block D upgrade included new radios, Global Positioning System
capability and the ability to carry kits called joint direct attack
munitions, or JDAM. The kits convert the B-1’s 500-pound
“dumb” bombs into “smart” weapons by guiding
them to targets.
Instead of aiming for a building, a “smart” bomb could
precisely aim for a room within a building. The 2,000-pound kits
cost about $15,000 each.
JDAM missiles must be dropped in a close proximity to the target,
whereas JASSM and JSOW can be dropped from a farther distance.
The newer missiles are pricier than the JDAM kits. A 2,000-pound
JASSM costs about $400,000, and a 1,500-pound JSOW costs between
$200,000 and $300,000.
JASSM is also being tested for the B-2 and B-52 bombers and the
F-16 fighter.
Over the next 10 years, all three of the Air Force’s bombers
will be adapting the capability to redirect bombs in flight, according
to Gen. Michael Ryan, Air Force chief of staff, in Air Force Magazine.
For the B-1, continued upgrades will help complete its transformation
from its original nuclear weapon mission to a conventional munitions
carrier that can deliver a range of new precision weapons.
“This and other upgrades continue to increase the capability
of the (B-1’s) weapon system, which is already outstanding,”
said Lt. Col. Garrett Harencak, commander of Dyess’ 28th
Bomb Squadron, which trains B-1 aircrews. “The more capabilities
we have, the more valuable the B-1 is to America.”
Contact military writer Sidney Schuhmann
at 676-6721 or schuhmanns@abinews.com. Check out our Web site
at www.reporternews.com
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