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1 [1] (November 23, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govehdz0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service gaae Inforrning the legislative debate since 1914 Updated November 23, 2021 Defense Primer: U.S. Precision-Guided Munitions The Department of Defense (DOD) defines a precision- guided munition (PGM) as a guided weapon intended to destroy a point target and minimize collateral damage. This includes air- and ship-launched missiles, multiple launched rockets, and guided bombs. 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- insurgency operations. The recent National Defense Strategy articulates a renewed focus on great power competition to combat anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems. 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 missiles that increase the risk to U.S. forces entering and operating in these regions. As a result, DOD has argued it requires longer-range precision munitions to meet these new threats. Figure 1. U.S. Military Spending on PGMs FY2018- FY2022 ($ in millions) sOOO $4.000 $3;000 $2,000 . . $1,006 FY2018 FY2019 FY2O20 FY2021 FY2022 Source: Department of Defense Budget FY20 18-2022 P-I Procurement budget requests, at https://comptroller.defense.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 past five years, DOD in FY20 18, procured 68,800 munitions for $4.6 billion; in FY2019, procured 60,600 munitions $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 $3.1 billion 16,700 munitions. Air-Launche P recision Munitions * Paveway 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 tail kit to steer the bomb. The Paveway series was originally developed during the Vietnam War to enable tactical aircraft-like the F-4 Phantom-to deliver precise munitions. Paveway has received many upgrades over the decades, most recently the Paveway 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 5,000 pound Mk-82, 1,000 pound Mk-83, and 2,000 pound Mk-84 bombs-with GPS guidance (see 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 operational use of a JDAM was during Operation Allied Freedom in Kosovo by a B-2 Spirit bomber. JDAMs are used by all fixed-wing strike aircraft. Figure 2. GBU-3 I Joint Direct Attack Munition Source: https://militaryedge.org/armaments/gbu-31 cvi -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 the MQ-1 Predator, and later the MQ-9 Reaper, enabling unmanned aerial vehicles to provide a strike capability. Hellfire missiles have become a preferred munition for operations in the Middle East, particularly with increased utilization of unmanned aircraft like MQ-Is and MQ-9s. Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). The Joint Air- to-Ground Missile is designed to replace the Hellfire, TOW, and Maverick missiles. 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 attack helicopters. Joint Air-to-Surface Strike Munition (JASSM). The JASSM is a 14-foot-long, 2,250-pound missile that can be carried internally on B-1B Lancer and B-52