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Diamond Back

the Alenia Marconi Systems Incorporated [AMSI] Diamond Back® is a low cost, high performance footprint expansion wing kit, designed to be compatible with the DOD's new family of low cost, GPS guided weapons which include JDAM, SSB, and potentially the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser. The DIAMOND BACK ® kit concept enhances the pilot's survivability, as the release distance allows the pilot to remain in stand-off position relative to the proximity surface-to-air threat.

Diamond Back® features a unique joined tandem wing design that extends the wings from a compact storage position by the rearward movement of a carriage assembly to which the rear wings are attached. The deployed wings provide a diamond shaped platform with excellent maneuverability and glide characteristic's which increases the basic weapon footprint area by more than 20 times. After the bomb has been released and the "diamond" wing has been extended, the bomb benefits from additional lift. When a bomb like the GPS-guided JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition), equipped with a DIAMOND BACK ® kit, is released at an altitude of 25,000 ft (7 600 m), its range changes from 18.5km to 65 km.

Diamond Back®, when integrated with a tail controlled weapon such as JDAM or the SSB, provides standoff and cross track maneuverability for a significantly expanded footprint. The larger footprint not only provides additional survivability for the delivery aircraft, but also allows the attack of multiple, widely separated targets from a single release point. Diamond Back® is designed to meet the demanding space requirements for rotary launchers in the B-1 and B-2 as well as for internal carriage on the JSF and F-22 for 1,000-pound, 500-pound and SSB versions.

In July 2001, MBDA and Boeing signed a teaming agreement for world-wide sales of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) family of weapons and its derivatives, such as the extended range variant (JDAM-ER). The teaming agreement also includes the US Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) program, which has recently seen Boeing selected for the next 2-year risk reduction phase. Both JDAM-ER and the Boeing SDB solution use the MBDA Diamond Back wing kit to achieve range extension. Diamond Back® is a low cost, high performance, footprint expansion wing kit, compatible with precision guided weapons including IN/GPS-guided munitions such as JDAM or SDB.

Under the sponsorship of the USAF, MBDA and Boeing have successfully demonstrated extended range for JDAM and SSB, with 5 Diamond Back® wing kit flight tests completed between April and September 2000. Weapon releases were from a USAF F-16 at Eglin AFB, Florida and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Two weapons types were used (2000lb JDAM ER and 250 lb SSBREX) proving that the wing kit is scalable across a range of payloads. Flight test objectives were met by demonstration of safe separation, wing deployment, controlled cruise flight, down range and cross track performance and terminal end game that resulted in hitting the target area as planned. Diamond Back ® increases the weapon footprint by up to 20 times (dependent on release altitude) while retaining the terminal accuracy of the JDAM or SDB munition.

Alenia Marconi conducted the successful first flight test of a Diamond Back® range extension wing kit on April 21, 2000. The test wwas conducted at Eglin AFB, Fla., in conjunction with Boeing and the U.S. Air Force, and featured a Diamond Back® wing kit integrated on to a Boeing modified Joint Direct Attack Munition BLU-109 weapon. All flight test objectives were met by demonstration of safe separation, wing deployment, range performance, maneuverability, and terminal guidance. This "Proof-of-Concept" demonstration along with an upcoming cross range flight demonstration will prove that the JDAM ER system is ready for a Defense Department JDAM P3I development.

Two Diamond Back® wing kits have been developed by AMSI for integration by Boeing on Joint Direct Attack Munition BLU-109 weapons at Boeing's St. Charles, Mo., JDAM facility. This AMSI and Boeing funded effort, together with U.S. Air Force support in providing the flight test facilities, personnel and F-16 aircraft, has demonstrated a JDAM/DB Extended Range "Proof-of-Concept" for DOD consideration as a JDAM P3I opportunity.

In a related range extension development activity, Boeing and AMSI are under an U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory contract to design, develop and demonstrate a Small Smart Bomb Range Extension (SSBREX) weapon. This will demonstrate the performance of Diamond Back® on Boeing's 250 LB Penetrator. An SSBREX F-16 captive carry test took place at Eglin AFB April 7, 2000, and was followed by flight tests due to be conducted in May 2000. This flight test demonstration contract was competitively won in October 1998.

Under the sponsorship of the USAF, MBDA and Boeing have successfully demonstrated extended range for JDAM and SSB, with 5 Diamond Back® wing kit flight tests completed between April and September 2000. Weapon releases were from a USAF F-16 at Eglin AFB, Florida and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Two weapons types were used (2000lb JDAM ER and 250 lb SSBREX) proving that the wing kit is scalable across a range of payloads.

Flight test objectives were met by demonstration of safe separation, wing deployment, controlled cruise flight, down range and cross track performance and terminal end game that resulted in hitting the target area as planned. Diamond Back ® increases the weapon footprint by up to 20 times (dependent on release altitude) whilst retaining the terminal accuracy of the JDAM or SDB munition.