An MQ-9 Reaper is loaded with a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb on the left and a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition on the right April 13, 201...
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| An MQ-9 Reaper is loaded with a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb on the left and a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition on the right April 13, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christian Clausen) |
The MQ-9 Reaper unmanned attack/surveillance aircraft operated by U.S. Air Force has got its first GPS guided weapon capability, with the integration of GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).
Two GBU-38s were employed by USAF in training for the first time on May 1, which successfully hit their targets over the Nevada Test and Training Range.
With its GPS guidance, the 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-38 JDAM can strike its target even in poor weather conditions, greatly enhancing the combat capabilities of the aircraft.
In 2009, Reaper has achieved perfect 9 hits out of 9 launches during testing at the China Lake test range in California
Currently the Reaper is armed with AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground missiles and 500 lb GBU-12 laser-guided bombs.
Weapon loading time is also less for the GBU-38, taking only 20 minutes compared to the 30 minute required for the GBU-12 LGB.
The training is carried from the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 26th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
The Reaper can carry a payload of up to 1700 kg under its seven hard points and is powered by a single Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine rated at 900 hp (671 kW) in a pusher configuration.
