AGM-154A JSOW Bombs for Ukraine
Preparing an AGM-154A bomb for a combat mission
At the end of September, the US announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine. The only new thing that was missing from the previous packages was a controlled aviation AGM-154 JSOW bomb. American authorities hope that it weapon will allow Ukrainian aviation to operate more effectively at the front. However, it is already becoming clear that imported bombs will not affect Kyiv's position.
In a new package
In recent months, the possibility of supplying new aircraft weapons to Ukraine has been actively discussed in the press and expert community. There have been suggestions that the United States could provide Kyiv with long-range cruise missiles. missiles AGM-158 JASSM.
However, in the twenties of September, foreign media reported that the deliveries of these missiles, at least in the near future, are not planned. Instead, Washington is going to transfer AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) guided air bombs to the Ukrainian Air Force. However, this information was received from unnamed sources, and its reliability was questionable.
These reports were soon confirmed. On September 25, the White House approved a new package of military aid for Ukraine under the so-called administrative powers of the president. This is the 66th such package since 2021 and the 12th this year. The document provides for the transfer of military property worth a total of $375 million.
AGM-154 bombs in storage
The main goal of this package is to replenish Ukrainian arsenals. It includes new batches of artillery shells, various missiles and other types of ammunition. In addition, the list of deliveries included some air-to-surface munitions with cluster equipment. Their type was not openly named, but American media immediately wrote that these would be AGM-154 JSOW guided bombs.
Unknown details
As always, the American side did not disclose all the details of the planned military supplies to Ukraine. In particular, it is unknown how many bombs will be transferred, where they will be taken, when the supplies will begin, etc.
Given the experience of previous military aid packages, it can be assumed that the bombs will be sent soon. It is quite possible that the first batch of these items was being prepared for shipment at the same time as the necessary documents were being drawn up.
The production of AGM-154 bombs ended several years ago. It is unlikely that the United States will share the latest series of products with Ukraine. Most likely, Kyiv will be given the first modification and early production bombs, possibly already subject to write-off and disposal. This method of providing assistance speeds up the delivery process, but limits their possible volumes and may lead to additional problems.
JSOW use by AGM-154A aircraft
Thus, it can be expected that the Ukrainian Air Force will receive new American bombs in the near future and will soon try to use them. However, it can already be assumed that the JSOW products will not meet the expectations of the Ukrainian side.
Guided bomb
The development of a promising guided bomb for tactical aviation, designated Joint Standoff Weapon, began in the late 1999s. The new project was handled by the military division of Texas Instrument, which became part of Raytheon in XNUMX.
Flight tests of the AGM-154A prototype bombs began in 1991. The project was highly complex and new, which affected the timing of its implementation. Because of this, the Air Force and Navy accepted the new bomb into service only in 1998-1999, and then ordered its serial production.
During the same period, work began on two modifications of the JSOW bomb. Products with the letters "B" and "C" were to receive new warheads and other devices. Despite all efforts, in 2005 both customers refused the AGM-154B bomb, and the AGM-154C entered service only with naval aviation.
Production of JSOW bombs for the US Air Force continued until 2005, and the Navy ordered them until the mid-154s. In addition, the AGM-13 has found buyers outside the US. Its production versions have been delivered to XNUMX countries, and Ukraine is expected to become another foreign recipient soon.
AGM-154 dropped from a modern F-35 aircraft
Combat use of AGM-154A bombs began in 1998 as part of Operation Desert Fox. Cluster-filled munitions were used against Iraqi targets. Subsequently, the A and C versions of the munitions were repeatedly used in other operations and successfully hit various targets.
Technical aspects
The AGM-154 JSOW is a guided air bomb designed to destroy remote enemy targets with known coordinates. It is proposed to use it to disable troops in positions, headquarters, various weapons systems and complexes, etc.
The bomb has a streamlined body of a characteristic shape that reduces its radar signature. The length of the product is 4,1 m, the cross-section of the body is about 330 mm. A high-mounted folding swept wing with a span of 2,7 m is attached to the central part of the body. Stabilizers and rudders are installed in the tail section. The mass of the bomb depends on its modification and does not exceed 495-500 kg.
The basic modification of the AGM-154A bomb is equipped with a control system based on satellite and inertial navigation. It can attack only targets with known coordinates, which are entered into memory before launch. Retargeting in flight is not provided.
The AGM-154C modification retained the autopilot and navigation systems, and also received an infrared homing head. At the final section of the trajectory, the munition can be guided to a specific contrast target. Thanks to this, work on moving targets is possible.
AGM-154 in flight
The basic modification of the JSOW bomb contains 145 combined-action BLU-97/B submunitions. This product is a small shaped charge with a fragmentation jacket and incendiary elements. Such submunitions are designed to simultaneously destroy armored vehicles, unprotected vehicles and manpower.
The JSOW-C carries a tandem penetrating high-explosive warhead of the BROACH type. It has two charges with a total mass of 225 kg, one of which is designed to penetrate the target's defenses, and the second is detonated inside. Such a bomb is designed to combat field fortifications and other protected objects.
Despite the differences in equipment and weight, both versions of the JSOW bomb have the same flight characteristics. When dropped from a low altitude, the gliding range does not exceed 20-22 km. A high-altitude drop allows the bomb to be sent to a distance of up to 120-130 km.
Both serial modifications of the AGM-154 are compatible with all tactical and strategic aircraft of the US Air Force and Navy. In addition, there is a fundamental possibility of using them on other carriers. In particular, it can be expected that the missiles transferred to Ukraine will be used by Soviet-made Su-24 bombers.
An AGM-154C bomb moments before hitting its target
The question of opposition
It is obvious that the Ukrainian Air Force, having received AGM-154 bombs, will immediately try to use them. They will try to attack our rear facilities or populated areas in new regions. The Russian army will now have to fight such a threat. However, it is already prepared for such challenges.
From an air defense perspective, the AGM-154A bomb is a small subsonic aerodynamic target with reduced radar signature. In this respect, it is similar to a number of other air-to-air weapons previously supplied to Ukraine from third countries.
Russian Defense has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to detect and shoot down any missiles and bombs used by enemy aircraft. Radar stations successfully and promptly detect flying targets, and missile systems successfully destroy them. Stealth missiles such as Storm Shadow and small bombs such as GBU-39/B SDB are intercepted.
It can be expected that intercepting the American AGM-154 glide bomb will not be a difficult task for Russian air defense systems either. It will be successfully solved using existing means and systems.
A used JSOW bomb. The submunition compartment doors are visible on the bottom.
In addition, it should be taken into account that bombers using such bombs or missiles may themselves be hit by anti-aircraft systems. Russian air defense has repeatedly intercepted enemy aircraft even before reaching the limits of missile and bomb use. In the case of JSOW, this situation will be repeated.
However, even a successful interception and destruction of the bomb can have negative consequences. The AGM-154A is equipped with a cluster warhead containing 145 submunitions. Not all of these submunitions can be destroyed along with the missile in the air. Some of them will fall to the ground and add work for the sappers.
familiar script
Thus, in the situation with the AGM-154A bombs, a scenario well known from previous events is being repeated. As before, the US is providing Ukraine with a limited amount of not the most modern weapons as part of its assistance. Now we can expect that attempts will be made to use them, but they will not lead to the desired result.
It is obvious that the new supply of aviation weapons will not be able to change the situation at the front. Moreover, it creates a threat to the Ukrainian aviation fleet, which in the long term may accelerate the defeat of Ukrainian formations. What is the meaning of such assistance is a big question.
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