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.

500lb Class Precision Guided Munition on F-35 Aircraft

The US Air Force wants to add a non-developmental precision guided bomb to bolster its current weapons suite. The USAF hopes to procure the munitions in a time efficient manner, noting on a 10 February 2017 Sources Sought Synopsis [Solicitation Number : PGMJSFSS] that planners anticipate the first contract going out during the third quarter of fiscal year 2017. Deliveries of the initial production quantity shall begin no later than six (6) months after contract award.

The Direct Attack Division (AFLCMC/EBD) intends to award multiple contracts to a single contractor for 1) Operational Safety Suitability and Effectiveness (OSS&E) certification activities that will result in certification of the weapon and an initial production quantity, currently estimated at 400 weapons, with associated support to field the weapon system on the F-35A aircraft; and 2) Follow-on production and support contract(s) necessary to procure and sustain a total inventory of approximately 1200 weapons. It is anticipated that the first contract will be awarded in the 3rd quarter of FY17 and deliveries of the initial production quantity shall begin no later than six (6) months after contract award. This requirement is not a Research and Development effort; therefore, interested vendors must have a mature existing design already in production that meets the below requirements

The F-35 has the carrying capacity for at least 3,500 pounds of bombs in stealth mode and 18,000 pounds "uncontested," accord to Lockheed Martin. It has tested a GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, a 350-pound precision guided glide weapon, an AIM-132 advanced short range air-to-air missile, and a Paveway IV missile.

In response to an Air Combat Command (ACC) Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) requirement, the USAF is seeking a time sensitive, interim solution to add a 500lb class Precision Guided Munition (PGM) with moving and maneuvering target capability that is mechanically, electrically, and logically compatible with F-35 Block 3F aircraft Operational Flight Program (OFP). This munition must consistently impact moving targets traveling along a constant heading with a uniform velocity up to 70 mph and maneuvering targets performing ±0.2 g maneuvers with velocities up to 40 mph. The capability cannot impact the current fielding schedule for F-35 Block 3F, namely 15 May 2018.

Potential offerors who had existing weapons with the capability to meet the performance and schedule requirements were invited to submit a Statement of Capability (SOC). The SOC shall be limited to 5 pages (not including graphics/tabular data) and shall summarize the overall capabilities of the weapon being considered given the criteria. The SOC shall also identify the contractor’s capabilities to provide fielding and sustainment support for the weapon system.