Joint Direct Attack Munition in the context of "United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade"

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⭐ Core Definition: Joint Direct Attack Munition

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs", into all-weather precision-guided munitions (PGMs). JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km). JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 to 2,000 pounds (230 to 910 kg). The JDAM's guidance system was jointly developed by the United States Air Force and United States Navy, hence the "joint" in JDAM. When installed on a bomb, the JDAM kit is given a GBU (Guided Bomb Unit) identifier, superseding the Mark 80 or BLU (Bomb, Live Unit) nomenclature of the bomb to which it is attached.

The JDAM is not a stand-alone weapon; rather it is a "bolt-on" guidance package that converts unguided gravity bombs into PGMs. The key components of the system are a tail section with aerodynamic control surfaces, a (body) strake kit, and a combined inertial guidance system and GPS guidance control unit.

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👉 Joint Direct Attack Munition in the context of United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade

The bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, also known in China as the May 8th incident, occurred May 7, 1999, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, when a US B-2 Spirit dropped five Joint Direct Attack Munition satellite-guided bombs on the Embassy of China, Belgrade, FR Yugoslavia, killing three Chinese journalists and injuring twenty-seven others. According to the US, the intention had been to bomb the headquarters of Yugoslav weapons importer Yugoimport, 440 meters south on the same street. President Bill Clinton apologized for the bombing, claiming it was an accident.

Central Intelligence Agency director George Tenet later testified the bombing was the only one in the campaign organized by his agency, and that the CIA had "miscalculated" the Yugoimport coordinates from its address. The Yugoimport building was later bombed but remains standing as of 2019. The US claimed its own map and satellite imagery analysis approved the target while failing to identify it as an embassy. Although extensively referenced as a NATO mission and aircraft, all B-2 strikes were targeted and flown under United States European Command alone. One CIA officer was fired following an investigation.

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Joint Direct Attack Munition in the context of Aerial bomb

An aerial bomb is a type of explosive or incendiary weapon intended to travel through the air on a predictable trajectory. Engineers usually develop such bombs to be dropped from an aircraft.

The use of aerial bombs is termed aerial bombing.

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Joint Direct Attack Munition in the context of Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

The Northrop B-2 Spirit is an American heavy strategic bomber that uses low-observable stealth technology to penetrate sophisticated anti-aircraft defenses. It is often referred to as a stealth bomber.

A subsonic flying wing and lambda wing with a crew of two, the B-2 was designed by Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) as the prime contractor, with Boeing, Hughes Aircraft Company, and Vought as principal subcontractors. It was produced from 1988 to 2000. The bomber can drop conventional and thermonuclear weapons, such as up to eighty 500-pound class (230 kg) Mk 82 JDAM GPS-guided bombs, or sixteen 2,400-pound (1,100 kg) B83 nuclear bombs. The B-2 is the only acknowledged in-service aircraft that can carry large air-to-surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration.

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