Admin
The U.S. Air Force tested laser joint direct attack munitions on the Boeing-built B-1 Lancer jet this week, the force announced Thursday.
During the tests from Monday to Wednesday B-1 aircrews used the munitions against moving targets.
Aircrews from the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons used the GBU-54 laser JDAMs against targets on a testing facility in Utah, the first time the munitions were used on the B-1.
In January, the Air Force awarded the company a $126 million contract to provide 5,000 laser attack munitions.
Lt. Col. Stuart Newberry, the 37th squadron commander, said in the release that Combat Hammer, an air to ground weapon system evaluation program, helped the Air Force determine where modified training plans and combat standards were needed.
Air Force members evaluated the weapon handling process from start to finish, including LJDAM, a 500-pound guided weapon with a laser designed to engage moving and stationary targets, according to the release.
