Ukraine now utilizing JDAM-ER bombs on Su-27 Flankers too.
A couple of month after the first photos of the JDAM-ER bombs in Ukraine emerged on-line, we now have now affirmation that the US-supplied GPS-guided bomb, geared up with a range-extending information package, is now getting used additionally by the Su-27 Flanker fighters of the Ukrainian Air Pressure. The picture, printed to have a good time the Ukrainian Independence Day, reveals Lieutenant Basic Mykola Oleshchuk, UkrAF commander, signing a bomb beneath the Flanker’s wing.
As we already reported, in March 2023, US and Ukrainian officers confirmed the delivery and the combat employment of the weapon, respectively, however the weapon was by no means seen in Ukrainian use till final month, when the primary images of the western weapons put in on the Ukrainian Soviet-era jets emerged on-line. The images, printed in a submit to thank america on their Independence Day, displaying the guided bomb put in on a MiG-29.
“Pleased Ukrainian Independence Day!”
Lieutenant Basic Mykola Oleshchuk. pic.twitter.com/CCUmClvJsy— Ukrainian Air Pressure (@KpsZSU) August 24, 2023
The brand new picture clearly present the Mk-80 collection bomb physique, in addition to the glide package of the JDAM-ER. The JDAM kits are normally put in on the five hundred lb Mk-82, the 1000 lb Mk-83 and the 2000 lb Mk-84 bombs, however US officers didn’t disclose which one can be utilized in Ukraine along with the GPS-guidance package. The bomb physique employed in Ukraine seems to be the Mk-82, nonetheless it isn’t identified how the bomb is designated when the JDAM-ER package is put in (the usual 500 lb JDAM is the GBU-38).
The package combines a pop-out wing kit with the well-know GPS tail information package, enhancing the stand-off capabilities of the weapon. In comparison with the usual JDAM which might attain as much as 15 miles, the Prolonged Vary variant can hit targets 45 miles away, protecting the launching plane additional away from enemy air defenses. Identical to the AGM-88 HARM, it seems that the JDAM has been put in on the inside pylons of the Su-27’s wings, seemingly by utilizing a modified pylon with the usual MAU-12 ejector rack usually used on the F-15 and F-16.
Stefano D’Urso is a contract journalist and contributor to TheAviationist primarily based in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he is additionally learning to realize a Grasp Diploma in Aerospace Engineering. Digital Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT methods utilized to the world of navy operations and present conflicts are amongst his areas of experience.
