Some initial thought:

 

JDAM has twice the range 8.0nm than the GBU-12D (4.0nm) benefits the aircraft actually launching. Drawback, launching aircraft needs to be above VLow and Low altitude bands. (per 6.3.4.2.4) JDAMs launched from Medium altitude are resolved on the Medium Altitude Dive Bomb Table. Also must have advanced or computing bombsight.

 

Better guidance I/GPS versus SALH for the Paveway. pH from AV-8B II+ (computing) at medium versus a "small" target = only 12%. From High or VHigh pH goes up to 23% due to computing at the Low Altitude Dive Bomb Table. Still seems weak - launching aircraft is vunerable further out at that altitude, will add comments later if warranted.

 

As Tony mentioned on the chat, JDAM is still detection and classification limits as the range of the weapon system itself is greater than the GBU-12D.

A response from PeterG (another trusted and respected H4 warrior) on Admiralty Trilogy

 

"I don't have the SITREP article with me at the moment, but yes this would

replace the H4.1 rule.

 

PG"

 

 

> In further reading about H4.1 attacks on land targets by naval and

> air platforms, I came across the short article titled "Land Attack

> Missiles in Harpoon" and its accompanying Land Target Attack Table

> (Page 24).

>

> That article followed another article on tomahawk cruise missiles in

> Harpoon. The Land Target Attack Table seems to encompass more that

> just cruise missiles since in includes stats for SALH 1-3Gen, EO 1-

> 3Gen, etc.

>

> After discussing here in an earlier message the procedure for

> employing a GPS guided JDAM against a small ground target, the

> criteria for launching such a weapon and how the results are

> computed was confirmed. I was stunned to find out the poor range of

> results being returned on the Low or Medium Altitude Dive Bomb

> Tables (23-33% and 12-18% respectively). It just didn't seem

> appropriate for a GPS guided weapon.

>

> If I'm understanding this correctly wouldn't the GPS guided JDAM

> have a pH of 65% versus a small ground target on the SITREP's Land

> Target Attack Table?

>

> A pH of 65% seems much more appropriate for this weapon than the

> <=33% calculated on the dive bomb tables.

>

> I apologize in advance for belaboring this point.

From defense-aerospace.com, and placed in this thread more for general "SA" - situational awareness.

 

Marine Corps Attack Pilots in Pacific Now Fully Equipped

 

 

(Source: US Marine Corps; issued April 10, 2006)

 

 

KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, Japan --- When a Harrier released the Joint Direct Attack Munition onto Tori Island March 21, it was the first time ever the Marines have deployed the system in the Pacific area of operations.

 

The launch of the ordnance marked the beginning of III Marine Expeditionary Force having the ability to deploy the JDAM from AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets when needed.

 

The JDAM is a kit that attaches to ordnance and uses the global positioning system, combined with satellite technology, to hit targets with pinpoint accuracy. The JDAM has the capability to take conventional free-fall ordnance and turn it into precision guided munitions.

 

Although the JDAM has been employed during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Marine Attack Squadron 214 became the first Harrier squadron to be outfitted with the JDAM in September 2005. Now attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), they became the first forward deployed Harriers to use the JDAM. The unit employed the JDAM, which was attached to a 1,000 pound guided bomb unit, on Tori Island off the coast of Okinawa and hit its target within three meters, according to Capt. Antonio DeMarco, assistant operations officer for the Harrier Detachment.

 

“(The JDAM) proved to be accurate, just as advertised,” said DeMarco. “It’s always exciting to use the JDAM, because I know I can rely on it.”

 

Headquarters Marine Corps wanted the Harrier community to be able to utilize the JDAM in every theatre of operations, according to Maj. Samuel Smith, HMM-262 (REIN) Harrier Detachment officer-in-charge.

 

“(The JDAM) elevated the Harriers’ capabilities to be on par with other attack platforms, and it increases our lethality and operational effectiveness,” Smith said.

 

The JDAM, acquired by the Marine Corps five years ago, was created in 1997 to make missions safer for the pilots and to minimize collateral damage on the ground, said DeMarco.

 

“JDAM is a great weapon addition, because all we do is (set) the coordinates, release the ordnance and leave our position,” DeMarco said. “This is a great way for pilots to avoid enemy fire, and it allows us greater accuracy, and helps minimize potential friendly and civilian casualties on the ground.”

 

One of the reasons the JDAM is so useful in the Pacific theatre is that it can be guided through any type of weather condition, according to Smith.

 

“Laser guided bombs are really great weapons if the weather is good,” said Smith. “But, the best thing about the JDAM is it will go through anything because of its GPS.”

 

Harriers are the only strike aircraft in the Marine Corps that can generate their own coordinates accurate enough to drop a JDAM, according to Smith.

 

“Although other platforms have great systems, (Harriers) are the first Marine attack aircraft that is able to showcase this capability,” Smith said.

 

Eight more JDAMs are expected to be released in the Pacific to improve pilot proficiency in combat.

 

VMA-214 is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, and is currently supporting the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.