Thread by @TrentTelenko

My earlier JDAM-ER thread has generated a number of questions which I will be trying to answer in this🧵

The much cheaper JDAM-ER has been around for a while but has been overshadowed by the JSSAM, JASSM-ER, & LRASM in US military service.
1/18

https://twitter.com/TrentTelenko/status/1628197190320488455

This Australian DST video is the only one I've found on with images of the JDAM-ER testing.

A key take away is that JDAM-ER is in production for the Australian RAAF.⬇️

2/18

This and the next two articles have better range performance charts and plots on the JDAM-ER.

Including contractor supplied plots for the JDAM-ER demonstrator with the Aussie Kerkanya wing kit design.

3/18
ausairpower.net/TE-GTV-Kerkany…

I'm also dropping these articles because the Ukrainian defense media seems to have missed the point on the JDAM-ER.

See these concept of operations images.

ausairpower.net/TE-JDAMPt1.html
4/18

It seems they have no idea what it actually means in Ukraine's fight to liberate it's territory from Russian occupation.

JDAM-ER has been in RAAF service since 2015, as well as being in production, so there is a RAAF tactical library the PSU can use.
5/18
dst.defence.gov.au/innovation/joi…

Only requirement for JDAM and JDAM-ER is to use Mil-Std-1760C connections on a smart pylon.

All the Ukrainian PSU has to do in order to toss bomb waves of JDAM-ER is replicate the AGM-88 HARM missile interface used for it's Mig-29's and Su-27's...

6/18

https://twitter.com/UW_Observer/status/1564608003424280595

...on the Su-24 & Su-25 fleets.

American JDAM's to Ukraine was announced many weeks ago but we have not seen any photos. So the initial operating capability & status are unknown.

But doing the JDAM-ER after generic JDAM will be easy-peasy, if it isn't simultaneous.

7/18

From one of the earlier links:

"The Key design objectives for the HdH (Hawker de Havilland now Boeing owned) product are lowest possible mass production cost, zero hardware changes to the existing GBU-31/32/35/38 tailkits, best possible performance, modularity, ease of

8/18

...maintenance and especially shortest possible assembly time in the field. The latter will be critical to user acceptance of the kit, the less time expended and the fewer errors in assembly when deployed in the middle of nowhere, the more popular the kit will be with...
9/18

...its users. The design philosophy is centred on producing a flexible product which can further grow as customers request additions. Should a customer pursue a high wing configuration, improved glide range, or a different wing sweep angle, the basic design is aimed at...

10/18

...accommodating such changes at the lowest incremental cost."

Short form: The Australian JDAM-ER glide kit was designed to be cheap, easy to mass produce, and for ease of installation with the minimum of tools.

11/18

Thus it will be easy for PSU ground crews at converted highway air bases to bolt together the JDAM-ER.

The Su-25, NATO code name Frogfoot, has eight weapons stations you can hang a 500lb GBU-38 JDAM bomb from.

12/18

Rather than a pair of PSU Su-25 flying low like this to get to the front.

https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee1/status/1627090069692772356

13/18

And risk exposure to Russian MANPADS shoulder fired missiles, only to lob a few dozen unguided rockets to doubtful effect.

14/18

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1626501244125675523

They are going to instead be able to lob _16_ GBU-38's with HdH wing kits 10 km behind the front line - out of MANPADS range - into Russian Army positions up to 30km behind the front line.

The PSU gets to deliver USAF style SHOCK & AWE, Baby!
15/18

Does anyone doubt that a couple hundred GBU-38 carefully painted upon these Russian fortifications like this in a week's time would crack them open like a sledge hammer hitting an egg?

https://twitter.com/bradyafr/status/1625344218821427205

16/18

At eight GBU-38 plus glide kits per Su-25, that is 25 sorties.

Four sorties a day for six days plus one more Su-25 sortie on the seventh.

17/18

JDAM-ER death is coming for the Russian Army carried on Ukrainian wings.

Welcome to Ukraine, vatniks.

18/18 End