Inertial Aided Munitions (IAMs)

TACP 1008c

TACP 1008c 1 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

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 Overview

• IAMs/Hybrid Basics
• IAM Capabilities / Limitations
• JDAM
• LJDAM
• SDB
• IAM Employment Principles
• BOT vs. BOC
• Multiple Targets

TACP 1008c 3 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 Learning Objectives

1. Given a list and without the aid of reference, identify the

capabilities and limitations of inertial aided and hybrid
munitions, in accordance with the MAWTS-1 TACP TACSOP,
and the JFIRE.

2. Given a scenario and without the aid of reference, employ a

JDAM, LJDAM, AND SDB in a bomb-on-target (BOT) mission, in
accordance with the JP 3-09.3, the MAWTS-1 TACP TACSOP,
and the JFIRE.

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 Learning Objectives

3. Given a scenario and without the aid of reference, employ a

JDAM, LJDAM, AND SDB in a bomb-on-coordinate (BOC)
mission, in accordance with the JP 3-09.3, the MAWTS-1 TACP
TACSOP, and the JFIRE.

4. Given a list and without the aid of reference, identify the

naming conventions and weapons class of the JDAM, LJDAM,
AND SDB munition, in accordance with the JFIRE.

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 References

• JP 3-09, Joint Fire Support

• JP 3-09.3, Close Air Support
• MCRP 3-31.6, JFIRE
• MAWTS-1 AOD TACP TACSOP

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TACP 1008c 7 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20
 Overview

• IAMs Basics
• IAM Capabilities / Limitations
• JDAM
• SDB
• IAM Employment Principles
• BOT vs. BOC
• Multiple Targets

TACP 1008c 8 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 Inertial Navigation

• An Inertial Navigation System (INS) is a navigation aid that

uses a computer, motion sensors and rotation sensors to
continuously calculate, via “dead reckoning”, the position,
orientation, and velocity (direction and speed) of a moving
object without the need for external references

TACP 1008c 9 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 IAMs

• Inertially-Aided Munitions (IAMs) rely on a self-contained GPS-

aided INS, which guides the weapon from the release point to
target coordinates regardless of weather, camouflage, or
obscurants
• When provided three-dimensional target locations of
sufficient accuracy, these weapons can achieve delivery
accuracies exceeding those of LGWs

TACP 1008c 10 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 Hybrids

• Some INS/GPS-guided munitions may have seekers that if

used, will provide enhanced terminal guidance
corrections, further increasing accuracy
• Ex. GBU-54, GBU-53, GBU-49, AGM-176

TACP 1008c 11 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

TACP 1008c 12 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20
 Overview

• IAMs Basics
• IAM Capabilities / Limitations
• JDAM
• SDB
• IAM Employment Principles
• BOT vs. BOC
• Multiple Targets

TACP 1008c 13 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 IAMs Capabilities

• Weapon Accuracy
• When provided three-dimensional target locations of sufficient
accuracy, IAMs can achieve delivery accuracies exceeding
those of laser-guided weapons.
• Standoff Ranges
• IAMs can provide standoff capability at relatively increased
distances. The aircrew can thereby effectively avoid some
surface to air threats.
*May depend on delivery profile

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 IAMs Capabilities

• All Weather Capability

• INS / GPS-guided munitions will normally offer an all weather
capability because they do not require designators for
guidance or a clear LOS to the target as do laser-guided
munitions.

TACP 1008c 15 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 IAMs Limitations

Effect of Vertical Error (VE) increases miss distance

• Mean Sea Level versus Height Above Ellipsoid (HAE)
• MSL and HAE are not the same – Different datums

• An IAM with a delivery angle of 45 degrees that substitutes

HAE height for MSL height could produce significant horizontal
targeting errors

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 Effect of Location Error – Vertical Error

Horizontal Error Induced by + 100 ft Vertical Elevation Error

30° Impact angle

60° Impact angle
85° Impact angle

100 ft (30.7 m) +

Surface

Weapon
Coordinates 8.7 ft long 58 ft Long 173 ft Long

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 IAMs Limitations

• Location Error
• All CAS participants (JTACs and Providers) must ensure they are
using the same maps, charts, data bases and target materials
with the same datum and / or reference system.
• TLE is the only IAM limitation a JTAC may “make a decision”
about
• The tactical scenario and commander’s tactical risk assessment
determine the acceptable TLE.

WGS-84 is the assumed standard datum across DoD unless

otherwise stated in the SPINS

TACP 1008c 18 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 Malfunctions

• The footprint for IAMs in the event of a malfunction, such as

loss of guidance or control fin hard-over, is very large and, in
some cases, may increase the probability of fratricide
• More often, an IAM going to the wrong point is a result of
human error – either in the communication of the grid to the
bomb or the determination of the grid with other systems or
devices

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 Limitation for Moving Targets

• Single mode INS/GPS weapons have no inherent capability

against moving targets.
• Weapon will fly to preprogrammed coordinate
• If target moves between targeting & impact: the weapon will
miss

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 IAMs Limitation

• Time Required
• The time required to coordinate for and receive IAMs must be
weighed against the time required to provide any immediate
weapons effects on a possible fleeting or moving target.

TACP 1008c 21 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

TACP 1008c 22 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20
 Overview

• IAMs Basics
• IAM Capabilities / Limitations
• JDAM
• SDB
• IAM Employment Principles
• BOT vs. BOC
• Multiple Targets

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 Joint Direct Attack Munition

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 JDAM Family

Mk-82
GBU-38 Mk-83
GBU-32(V)2/B
BLU-126
GBU-38(V)4/B BLU 110
GBU-32(V)4/B
BLU-129
GBU-38(V)5/B

Mk-84
GBU-31(V)1/B (USAF)
GBU-31(V)2/B (USN)
BLU-109
GBU-31(V)3/B (USAF)
GBU-31(V)4/B (USN)

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 JDAM Pre-release

Target coordinate entry:

• Pre-flight (Joint Mission Planning System)

• Coordinate from off-board source (BOC)

• Aircrew Manual entry

• Coordinate from off-board source manually typed into system
(BOC)

• Aircrew entry via targeting sensor (LPOD, ATFLIR, RADAR)

• Aircrew use aircraft system to “self-generate” coordinates (BOT)

TACP 1008c 26 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 JDAM Coordinates

• Datum – WGS-84
• Coordinate format for line-6:
• 10-Digit MGRS grid w/ grid zone ID
• Latitude & Longitude
• DDD MM.MMMM - standard format

• Coordinate format for line-4:

• Most accurate available
• Feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) [JCAS Standard]
• Feet Height Above Ellipsoid (HAE)
• If used, JTAC must specify “feet HAE” in line-4

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 JDAM Flight Profile

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 JDAM Precision (CEP)

• Requirement: 5 meter CEP (GPS Aided) or 30 Meter (INS-Only)

• TLE of 3.8 m CEP results in a JDAM error of ~ 3.3 m CEP

JDAM Test Results:

GPS-Aided / INS INS-Only
30 30
Without TLE Without TLE
20 20
Downrange (m)

Downrange (m)
10
1.7 m CEP 10
6.5 m CEP
0 0

-10 -10

-20 -20

-30 -30
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30
Crossrange (m) Crossrange (m)

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 JDAM Unaided (INS Only) Accuracy
>60° Impact, Horizontal Target

Miss Distance vs. Time-of-Flight

40

35
Requirement INS Only
30 CEP = 28.3 m
at 100 sec (138 s)
30,000 ft
25 (16.9 m CEP)
CEP/Miss 20,000 ft
(14.6 m CEP)
Distance (m) 20
13 m CEP 40,000 ft
(30 s) (21.2 m)

15

10

5 Requirement GPS Aided

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Black Line: Green Line (bottom curve):
Prediction of Performance With Time-of-Flight (sec) Best Estimate of Current Performance
Specification Errors With Actual IMU Errors

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 JDAM Fuzing and Danger Close

• In-flight programmable by aircrew:

• Instantaneous (Contact)
• Variable Time (Airburst)
• Delay
• Not recommended for GBU-38v4/v5 due to detonation effects

• Danger Close (Contact/Airburst)

• GBU-31 - 380 m/385 m
• GBU-32 - 340 m/390 m
• GBU-38 - 270 m/350 m
• GBU-38v4 - 185 m/230 m
• GBU-38v5 - 145 m/160 m

TACP 1008c 31 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

TACP 1008c 32 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20
 Overview

• IAMs Basics
• IAM Capabilities / Limitations
• JDAM
• SDB
• IAM Employment Principles
• BOT vs. BOC
• Multiple Targets

TACP 1008c 33 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 GBU-39 SDB (Small Diameter Bomb)

IGAS Tail Actuation System

Mission Computer

GPS Antenna

Wing Assembly (stowed)

Thermal Battery

HG 1930 IMU

Guidance Unit
Housing

Fuzewell and Aft Closure

Cable Cover

Warhead

Lugs

TACP 1008c 34 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 GBU-39 SDB (Small Diameter Bomb)

• 250 lb weapon with wings and GPS aided INS guidance kit
• All Weather & Standoff capability (40nm)
• Currently only fielded by Air Force
• USMC/USN F-35 future capability
• Designed to be low collateral
• Replace (1) larger bomb with (4) SDBs
• Found very effective against hardened targets/built up
structures
• GBU-53 follow on version with Laser Seeker for terminal
guidance (Hybrid)
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 GBU-39 SDB
Before

After

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TACP 1008c 40 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20
TACP 1008c 41 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20
 Overview

• IAMs Basics
• IAM Capabilities / Limitations
• JDAM
• LJDAM
• SDB
• IAM Employment Principles
• BOT vs. BOC
• Multiple Targets

TACP 1008c 42 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 IAM Employment Considerations

The JTAC goal:

• Generate a coordinate of sufficient 3-dimensional TLE to achieve
the ground commanders desired effect IAW theater ROE and
CDE.
• TLE is the largest contributor to JDAM miss distance.
• BOC - Error in deriving source
•PSS-SOF
•Vector-DAGR
•JFO/UAS/Other aircraft
•Map
• BOT - Aircraft navigation error (INS drift) and / or Sensor error
• How does an aircraft generate a BOT?

TACP 1008c 43 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20

 Accuracy Required for IAMs

What is sufficient accuracy for IAM Coordinates?

• It depends…
• Desired weapons effects
• Proximity of friendly forces
• Desired mitigation of collateral damage
• We can get “10-Digit coordinates” from
• Compass & Binoculars?
• Vector / DAGR?
But these are not 1m accurate…
Need to ask the Ground Cmdr if they are accurate enough

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 Launch Acceptability Region (LAR)

Weapon Flight
Path

Target

Launch Acceptable
Region

Aircraft Heading

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 Delivery Altitude vs LAR

30K AGL

15k AGL

10k AGL

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 Multiple Releases

• BOC
• Mult. coordinate entry
• Sensor not required
• BOT
• Mult. system designations
• Sensor required for both
JDAM & LJDAM

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TACP 1008c 48 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20
 QUESTIONS?

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 Overview

• IAMs Basics
• IAM Capabilities / Limitations
• JDAM
• SDB
• IAM Employment Principles
• BOT vs. BOC
• Multiple Targets

TACP 1008c 50 UNCLASSIFIED 22 Dec 20