Ukraine will receive “stealth bombs” from the USA: what are the main advantages of JSOW over Russian anti-aircraft missiles

The USA announced a new powerful package of military aid to Ukraine. Long-range JSOW aerial bombs are expected to be a significant part of it. What kind of weapon is this – Channel 24 tells.

The provision of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine opened the door to the American arsenal of weapons, because it is not just an aircraft, but a platform for using a wide range of missiles, bombs and other projectiles. Among them – JSOW or Joint Stand-off Weapon – combined air bomb of the US Army.

“Smart bombs” for attacks on the Russians: what their advantage

Experts note its high technology and refer it to the so-called “smart bombs”. Such a weapon in the hands of the Russians became a game changer for them in the Donbass and ensured, along with “meat assaults”, advancement.

Today, Ukraine will receive an instrument that significantly surpasses Russian analogues. And this tool is exactly JSOW. They should supplement the JDAM-ER and SDB “smart bombs” we already have.

• The main advantage of American JSOW over Russian KABs (or as they call them UPMK) is range . Provided it is launched from a high altitude, it is capable of hitting targets 130 kilometers away, that is, the aircraft will be beyond the reach of the front-line air defense systems of the Russians. Starting from a camber, that is, a low altitude, gives a range of 24 kilometers.
• Another feature of JSOW and difference from Russian KABs is accuracy, for which GPS-navigation and inertial control system are responsible. This allows for the most accurate strikes on targets both on land and at sea.

This bomb uses low-visibility technologies, that is, it can safely be called a stealth bomb.

Pay attention! JSOW has a missile index AGM and this designation makes sense, since the projectile in some versions has a rocket motor. The latter dramatically increases the range to 560 kilometers or 300 miles.

 

It is doubtful that Ukraine will get exactly such an option, but if it happens, it will definitely be a very big surprise for the enemy . But we didn't say that…

JSOW – a difficult target for enemy air defense

JSOW – quite a difficult target for air defense in itself (it has a strong defense against enemy EW), so it will definitely be a big problem for the occupiers.

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JSOW carriers are a line of American aircraft F-15, F-16, F/A -18, and F-35. Ukraine currently has only a few F-16s from this list and is expecting a new batch from its allies. This situation somewhat limits the use of useful “smart bombs”, but also raises the question of strengthening the aviation component.

This process is already underway, as evidenced by the recent statement of President Biden on September 26.

In order to strengthen Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities, I decided to provide Ukraine with long-range Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) ammunition… In order to build the potential of the Ukrainian Air Force, I instructed the Ministry of Defense to expand the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots, including support training of 18 more pilots next year, – the American president emphasized.

Well, until this happens and hundreds of F-16s continue to gather dust in American hangars, we will have to turn on the “smekalochka” and adapt JSOW to the “Soviet planes” available in our Air Force. True, it may affect the range, but as the classic said: we have what we have.

How much in USA JSOW and where they were used

At the same time, there are really a lot of stealth bombs in American warehouses. According to the Selected Acquisition Report, the US Navy/Air Force had:

• 817 JSOW bombs with a BLU-108 cluster warhead (each cluster has a radar homing system for destroying equipment).
• 3,815 JSOW bombs with a unitary warhead.

In total, the US Army used about 400 bombs. Mostly in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

In addition to the USA, these stealth bombs are in service with Turkey, Greece, Poland and Finland. Ukraine will soon join them.

JSOW bombs – main characteristics and types

JSOW has several varieties. Perhaps the most popular is JSOW-A. This projectile has 145 combined action submunitions for hitting unarmored targets. The JSOW-A-1 variant has a 500 lb warhead (same as the JDAM-ER).

The JSOW-C uses the BROACH penetrating warhead, which has the same effect as the Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG.

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AGM-154 JSOW – tactical and technical characteristics

• manufacturer – Raytheon, USA,
• beginning of combat use – 1995,
• length – 4.06 meters,
• diameter – 33 centimeters,
• wing span – 2.7 meters,
• weight – up to 495 kilograms,
• price – 250 – 500 thousand dollars.

Range of AGM-154 JSOW

• launch from low altitude – 24 kilometers,
• launch from a great height – 130 kilometers.