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2020-11-15

Diehl Delivers Precise Impact

Diehl Defence recently received an order to deliver GBU-54 weapon systems to the German Air Force. The request was received from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw).

GBU-54 is a precision ammunition comprising an unguided Mk-82 series warhead (500–pound bomb body) and Boeing’s Laser JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) guidance kit enabling the weapon to be guided precisely to the target. Through the combination of INS/GPS navigation, laser seeker and target designation, stationary and mobile targets can be precisely engaged even in adverse weather conditions.

First units are supposed to be delivered as of November 2021; the delivery will likely cover 48 months. Diehl is cooperating with Rheinmetall Defence and JUNGHANS Defence as component suppliers for the now commissioned re-procurement.

Highly Accurate

Laser JDAMs have been proven to be highly accurate against moving targets since impact coordinates are updated in flight. Dropped like a conventional JDAM, it will glide up to 15 miles towards the target using updates from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. The weapon will guide itself to the target’s coordinates in terminal flight, using laser energy to correct those coordinates, creating a precise impact – even if the target is manoeuvring at highway speeds.

Integration of the laser sensor to JDAM is affordable and field-installable, since no aircraft software modifications are required. It can also be used with other upgrades such as the Extended Range (JDAM ER) wing set that triples JDAM’s range to greater than 40 miles. The DSU-38 Laser sensor has been fully integrated on the 500-lb JDAM, GBU-38 to become the GBU-54.

GBU-54 has been combat-proven by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Testing and integration of the Laser JDAM sensor onto the 2,000-lb MK-84 JDAM, to become the GBU-56, is nearing completion. The battle-tested GBU-54 was already procured in the past for the TORNADO multirole fighter aircraft. In the future, it may also be used on the Eurofighter fighter aircraft.

In 2018, Boeing and Diehl decided to cooperate with regard to procurements of GBU-54 weapon systems in Germany. Through these cooperation’s, Diehl Defence offers the Bundeswehr, two advantages: the adaptation and quick introduction into service of a modern system established in the market, plus on-site support with experience in the integration of weapon systems on fighter aircraft.

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