About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


1 [1] (June 4, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govednu0001 and id is 1 raw text is: info r&n~ k~ tv ~nc~ ~14 Updated June 4, 2021 Defense Primer: U.S. Precision-Guided Munitions The Department of Defense (DOD) defines a precision- guided munition (PGM) as a guided weapon intendedto destroy a pointtarget and minimize collateraldamage. This includes air- and ship-launched mis s iles, multiple launched rockets, and guidedbombs. PGMs typically use the global positioning system (GPS), laser guidance, or inertial navigation systems to improve a weapon's accuracy to reportedly less than 3 meters (approximately 10 feet). Recent operations have heavily relied on PGMs for counter- ins urgency operations. The recent National Defense Strategy articulates a renewed focus ongreatpower competition to combat anti-access/area denial(A2/AD) s y s tems. The wide proliferation of A2/AD is likely to increase the operational utility of PGMs. In particular, peer competitors like China and Russia have developed sophisticated air defenses and anti-ship mis siles that increase theriskto U.S. forces entering and operating in these regions. As a result, DOD has argued it requires longer-range precisionmunitions to meet these new threats. Figure 1. U.S. Military Spending on PGMs FY2018- FY2022 ($ in millions) $4,000O $3,000 $2,000 ...._.._.,. FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 1:2021 FY2022 Source: Department of Defense Budget FY20 19-2022 P- I Procu rement budget req uests, at httpsi/comptroller.defen se.gov/ Bu dget-Materials/. The U.S. military has become reliant on PGMs to execute military operations (Figure 1), being used in ground, air, and naval operations. Over the p ast five years, DOD in FY2018, procured 68,800 munitions for $4.6 billion; in FY2019, procured 60,600munitions $4.3 billion; in FY2020, procured 55,200 munitions $5.3 billion; in FY2021, appropriated $3.8 billion for 39,500 munitions; and in FY2022, requested $3.lbillion 16,700 munitions. Air°-Launched Precision Munitions * Pawway Laser Guided Bomb. The Paveway is a family of guidance kits that attach to unguided bombs. The assembly includes a seeker on the nose of the bomb that looks for a laser to mark a target and a tailkit to steer the bomb. ThePaveway series was originally developed during the VietnamW ar to enable tactical aircraft-like the F-4 Phantom-to deliverprecise munitions. Paveway has received many upgrades over the decades, most recently thePaveway III (developed in the 1990s), which improves low-altitude guidance. * Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). JDAM is a tail kit that modifies unguided bombs-the 5,000pound Mk-82, 1,000 pound Mk-83, and 2,000 pound Mk-84 bombs-with GPS guidance (s ee Figure 2). When a JDAM kit is attached, the weapon is designated a guided bomb unit (GBU -31/32/38 depending on the weight of the bomb). JDAM has a reported range of 13 nautical miles. The first operationaluse of a JDAM was during Operation Allied Freedomin Kosovo by a B-2 Spirit bomber. JDAMs are usedby all fixed-wing strike aircraft. Figure 2. GBU-3 I Joint Direct Attack Munition Source: https://militaryedge.org/armaments/gbu-3 Icv I-jdam/. Hellfire Missile. The first Hellfire was introduced into service in 1982 on the Army's AH-64 Apache, using laser guidance to target tanks, bunkers, and structures. Hellfire missiles have a maximum effective range of 4.3 nautical miles. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hellfire missiles were introduced on theMQ-1 Predator, and later the MQ-9 Reaper, enabling unmanned aerial vehicles to provide a strike capability. Hellfire mis siles have become a preferred munition for operations in the Middle East, particularly with increased utilization of unmanned aircraft like MQ-1s and MQ-9s. Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). The Joint Air- to-Ground Missile is designed to replace the Hellfire, TOW, and Maverick mis siles. JAGM uses a new warhead/seeker paired with an existing AGM -114R rocket motor to provide improved target acquisition and discrimination. JAGM underwent testing starting in 2010, declaring initial operating capability in 2019 having successfully been integrated on the AH-64E Apache and AH-1Z Super Cobra attackhelicopters. Joint Air-to-Surface Strike Munition (JASSM). The JASSM is a 14-foot-long, 2,250-poundmis sile that can https://crs reports.congress.gc