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February 17, 2003
JSOW (Joint Stand-Off Weapon), a longer range version of JDAM, has completed it's testing and will begin mass production in May, 2003. A hundred JSOWs have been used in action, in Iraq and Afghanistan. While both JDAM and JSOW use GPS guidance, JSOW is designed to glide long distances (72 kilometers from high altitude, 27 kilometers when the bomber is flying low). After launching, JSOW's small wings pop out. JSOW is meant to be used with three different payloads. The JSOW A uses a BLU-97 cluster bomb, that contains 145 bomblets meant to destroy anti-aircraft sites or infantry and non-armored vehicles out in the open. JSOW B dispenses 24 SADARM anti-tank weapons (that seek and destroy tanks as they flutter to the ground.) The JSOW C will uses a 500 pound high explosive bomb, to destroy structures. JSOW can also be fitted with a terminal heat sensitive sensor for pinpoint accuracy. Weight varies from 1065-1500 pounds, depending on payload and sensors. Each JSOW costs about $160,000.
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