Raptor supersonic JDAM: faster, further, longer

The F-22A Raptor's characteristics of stealth, supercruise, and integrated avionics make it an ideal self-escort or stealth package escort platform, capable of air-to-air operations and destroying heavily defended ground targets in high threat regions . Once the subsonic air-to-ground joint direct attack munition (JDAM) capability became available in late 2004, the warfighter immediately recognized the need for an expanded release envelope into supersonic regions to improve the pilot's tactical options and substantially increase the JDAM release range to a distance much greater than any other aircraft. The testing for supersonic JDAM was accelerated to significantly increase the Raptor's air-to-ground combat lethality prior to initial operational capability (IOC) in December 2005. This paper will detail the unique test effort, challenges, and lessons learned from the Raptor supersonic JDAM integration testing.