In the context of an ever closer confrontation between the American administration and the Pyongyang government, the 2 May last two strategic USAF bombers, B1B Lancer, have flown over - according to Korean intelligence agencies - hypothetical military targets.
Il Lancer is designed to fly at low altitude with ground track radar, in fact at an altitude of 152 meters it is able to reach the 1207 km / h speed; The maximum range of internal fuel, as well as maximum missile load and refueling, is within 11.265 km.
However, in the past, B1B has not been configured for armament use stand-off, was forced to intervene after enemy anti-aircraft defenses had been duly "softened". With the launch of the first missile cruise with features stealth, the JASSM (Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile) AGM-158A, the Lancer can stick with precision while remaining outside the range of the crashing systems.
The weapon is intended to attack and destroy highly-paying targets located deep within the enemy territory. The JASSM is designed as a missile stand-off capable of conducting its mission in total autonomy. In fact, the weapon is equipped with an inertial navigation and GPS navigation system as well as a target recognition system based on a passive mid-range IR seeker that allows an 12 degree of viewing (IFOV) field.
These instruments give the missile a precision - 2,4 meters CEP - that allows it to center a specific part of the target, such as, for example, the entrance door of a bunker. Once launched the missile follows a pre-programmed route to reach the target area, where it activates the infrared seeker; the images collected by the sensor are processed with the ATC algorithmic system (Automatic Target Correlating) of Lochkeed Martin that accurately locates the target and drives the missile to the point of impact established, in any weather.
The lethality of JASSM, even against protected objectives, is ensured by the high explosive warhead WDU-42 / B (J-1000) from 454 kg, optimized for penetration but equally effective against "soft" targets. This head contains 109 kg of AFX-757 inside, activated by the FMU-156 / B spool which uses 150 grams of PBXN-9 as a detonator. The angle of attack of the JASSM can be varied between the 40 and 70 degrees, depending on the characteristics of the lens.
JASSM's ability to overcome enemy defenses lies mainly in its triangular shape that gives the weapon stealth; It is also able to fly at low altitudes following the shape of the ground. The propulsion is provided by a teledyne CAE J402-CA-100 turbojet engine from 3 kN (306 kg / thrust) which, together with the wings that unfold immediately after launch, gives the missile a range of more than 320 km.
The full operation of this missile cruise has made it possible to dramatically increase ground-breaking capabilities such as B1B, enabling it, together with other weapon systems, to constitute a valuable tool for intimidation in the hands of the Pentagon in current crisis scenarios.
(photo: US Air Force / DARPA / US DoD)
