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NEW
U.S. WEAPONRY AVAILABLE IN THE IRAQ WAR |
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Used in Kosovo and Afghanistan,
Joint Direct Attack Munitions or JDAM consist of a tail kit that
can turn a standard unguided air-to-surface bomb in to a "smart"
bomb. These munitions can be used in all types of weather with a
high level accuracy, reportedly within 10 feet of its target. The
JDAM can be launched up to 15 miles from its target and uses Global
Positioning System technology to hit a target whose coordinates
are programmed into the bomb before it's launched. JDAM upgrades
can be used for standard munitions of varying weights including
500, 1,000 and 2,000-pound bombs. |
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Cost:
Each JDAM unit costs approximately $21,000
Used by: Currently Air Force and Navy.
Development in the works for the Marine Corps.
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Electromagnetic
bombs or "E-Bombs" are a completely new brand of warfare
technology of which the military has revealed few details due to
classification restrictions. Called a weapon of "electrical
mass destruction," e-bombs release an intense burst of electromagnetic
energy through a mid-air explosion of a guided or unguided bomb
or missile. Using high power microwave technology, this pulse of
energy would damage or disable a wide range of electronic devices
-- theoretically not causing any loss of life but effectively rending
the enemy's equipment, from light bulbs to electronically guided
weapons, useless.
Electromagnetic pulse
and High Powered Microwave weapons have the capability of damaging
power grids, radio communications, computer systems, missile shields
and a wide range of other devices. Other effects of an e-bomb
attack could include the complete loss of computer data, telecommunications
and the complete failure of all combustion engines. According
to reports on the technology, the radius of an e-bomb attack would
be relatively small at approximately 200 meters.
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Cost:
Unknown, although estimates are as low as $400 for the basic technology.
Used by: No public disclosures have
been made about e-bomb inventories.
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A
system enhancement package that adds digital features to existing
M1A2 Abrams tanks including thermal imaging, digital color terrain
maps, thermal temperature management system for inside the tank
and improvements to the biological and chemical weapon detection
system alarm. |
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Cost:
Average cost of an M1, M1A1 or M1A2 tank is $4 million.
Used by: Army |
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The
unmanned and armed Predator drone aircraft has become a staple of
the military since its first deployment in 1996. The Predator is
capable of flying for more than 24 hours and can fly as high as
25,000 feet while providing valuable surveillance to military personnel
through its camera pod, which provides full motion video and infrared
imaging. Propeller driven by a four-cylinder engine, the Air Force
considers a full Predator system to consist of four aircraft, a
ground control station, a satellite link and the personnel necessary
to monitor a full 24-hour flight.
The Predator is armed with two laser guided Hellfire
anti-tank missiles and has been used successfully in hitting ground
targets in Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen.
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Cost:
40 million for a full Predator system
Used by: Air Force
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The
Dragon Eye or Interim-Small Unit Remote Scouting System is a small
hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle weighing only five pounds
-- similar to a small remote control plane. The Dragon Eye is intended
to provide the Marine Corps with an "eye in the sky" video
link, giving military personnel the ability to see what is over
the next hill or building during a ground advance. Battery operated,
the small craft is capable of fully independent flight for one hour
and follows a GPS input flight path. The vehicle is carried in five
parts, which can be assembled by a two-man team in approximately
10 minutes and launched by hand or with a bungee cord. |
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Cost:
Estimated at $60,000 to $70,000 for a full system of three vehicles
and one ground control station.
Used by: Marine Corps
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The
Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile system is a significant upgrade
to the previous Patriot surface-to-air guided missile defense system
used in 1991. According to published analyses of the improvements,
the new Patriot system can protect an assigned area about seven
times greater than the original system from attack by aircraft,
cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. Smaller and more
efficient than its predecessor, the new PAC-3 missile utilizes "hit
to kill" technology, and up to 16 can be loaded per launcher,
increasing overall defense capability. The new program also includes
upgrades to the system's radar and software. |
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Cost:
Estimated cost per missile is $2 million. Estimated investment in
the whole program is between $4 billion and $7 billion.
Used by: Army
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The
Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST) is
a garment designed to protect soldiers against the effects of biological
or chemical attacks and is part of a collaborative effort between
all four main branches of the military to create the next generation
of protective gear. The two-piece JSLIST
suit is worn over the standard Battle Dress Uniform and includes
an over boot to be worn over standard combat boots, protective
gloves, respiratory mask and decontamination package. Lighter
and more durable than past protective clothing systems, the JSLIST
can be laundered up to six times and is expected to reduce the
heat stress associated with such gear in hot climates. In addition,
soldiers will not have to remove their hoods to replace the suit's
air filter, a necessary step with past protective systems, and
will have the ability to drink water while in the suit. The improved
suit can provide 24 hours of protection against liquid and vapor
chemical agents. It usually takes a soldier eight seconds to get
the suit's mask on and eight minutes to don the complete suit.
Depending on assignment,
some military personnel will still have older versions of chemical
and biological protective gear.
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Cost:
Approximately $200 for the two-piece garment
Used by: Marine Corps, Navy, Army,
Air Force
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Sources:
GlobalSecurity.org and the Department of Defense |
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