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BULGARIAN MILITARY
The United States is currently developing ERAM [Extended-Range Attack Munition] guided aerial munitions for Ukraine. Think of it as a blend between a guided bomb and a mini cruise missile, based on its unique features.
This advanced weaponry boasts a 260-kilogram warhead, available in both armor-piercing and high-explosive configurations. While the overall weight is still undisclosed, it is known to fly up to 250 nautical miles [463 kilometers] at a speed of 763 km/h.
ERAM is designed for impressive accuracy, hitting within 10 meters of its target. What makes it even more remarkable is its guidance system, engineered to perform reliably even amidst active electronic warfare countermeasures from the enemy.
The main source of this information is the American portal Aviation Week. The authors highlighted the appearance of relevant documents in public access. The specifics are limited: the client for these works is the U.S. Air Force, with the development request submitted on January 31, 2024. However, the initiator of this request remains unspecified.
The most concrete part of this report lies in the expected timelines and production rates: production is anticipated to start within 24 months after the contract is awarded, with an estimated volume of up to 1,000 units per year.
Interestingly, there are no details regarding which types of aircraft the ERAM is being developed for, be it for Soviet models or Western F-16s. Given the expected timelines and production rates, this detail seems relatively minor.
The plan to achieve a deadline of “no later than 24 months” and produce 1,000 units per year is indeed ambitious, especially given that the US already possesses similar technologies that could be scaled up to benefit Ukraine. This isn’t a project starting from scratch, as many of these developments have been in progress for years.
Though specific details about this project in the US are scarce, it’s worth noting that in October last year, information emerged about another significant project. Specifically, Boeing revealed that it was continuing its work on the Powered JDAM project. This initiative, which started 13 years ago, aims to provide a cost-effective alternative to cruise missiles for the US Air Force by adapting a jet engine to the JDAM-guided air bomb, thereby significantly increasing its flight range.
Boeing has also secured a contractor for producing the power plant for the Powered JDAM. The company Kratos Defense & Security Solutions will manufacture the TDI-J85 gas turbine engine, which weighs just under 20 kilograms, to power these munitions.
The implementation of this new power plant offers a dual advantage: creating a revolutionary way to target aviation while also reducing the overall project costs. Boeing Corporation has plans to market the Powered JDAM not only to the US Air Force but also to the 35 nations currently using traditional guided JDAM bombs.
Developers are optimistic about this “hybrid” weapon, which combines features of a guided bomb and a cruise missile to effectively strike both stationary ground targets and moving sea targets.
The TDI-J85 engine, set to be utilized in the Powered JDAM, boasts high thrust capabilities and is compatible with a broad range of commercial and military aviation fuels.