A test team at Eglin Air Force Base demonstrated a new air-dropped, precision-guided weapon designed to strike enemy ships while reducing the survivability risks observed with existing methods.
An F-15E Strike Eagle dropped the GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) over the Gulf of Mexico during the test on Aug. 26th, Eglin AFB said Monday.
Maj. Andrew Swanson, F-15E weapons system officer at the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, said the new munition can address the survivability risks associated with the existing 2,000-pound, laser-guided GBU-24.
The new GBU-31 JDAM can also serve as an alternative to submarine-launched torpedoes and eliminates the risk of revealing a submarine's location during launches.
The test follows a previous demonstration conducted by the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, which evaluated JDAM's performance in specific maritime conditions. JDAM features a modern tail kit designed to provide precision guidance.
