How Ukraine plans to use JSOW bombs and potential role of F-16s: Expert analysis
Photo: JSOW launch from an F-16 fighter jet (wikipedia.org)
The transfer of JSOW bombs from the United States to the Ukrainian Air Force will not solve Ukraine's strategic tasks. There are two reasons for this, according to the material by RBC-Ukraine.
According to aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, Ukrainian forces will not be able to address the issue of launching Russian guided bombs (KABs) with the help of JSOWs. This is primarily due to the lack of permission for strikes on Russian territory, and even if they manage to strike at 130 km, they cannot reach the main operational airfields.
"We will be able to operate along the front line. But can we launch thousands per month, as Russia does? No, because we won’t be given that many. There are many questions regarding these air-to-ground bombs. However, as soon as we get the 'green light' for strikes on Russian territory, we can talk about a certain expansion of our capabilities," Khrapchynskyi noted.
One of the standard carriers is the F-16 aircraft. The expert emphasizes that a recent assessment of the capabilities of the Mirage-2000 (which Ukraine may also receive) took place, but it is unclear whether these aircraft can launch JSOWs.
According to aviation expert Valerii Romanenko, the transfer of such munitions does not necessarily mean that Ukrainian F-16s will operate on the frontline.
"God forbid, why risk such aircraft? We have only five left. Perhaps by the end of the year, there will be ten. But I see no sense in risking them for functions where you can only destroy a maximum of a platoon of infantry," says Valerii Romanenko.
It is possible that Soviet-type aircraft, such as the Su and MiG, will be adapted for the JSOW bombs. In principle, it is not a problem; various Western munitions, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, can be mounted on Soviet-designed aircraft. However, the effectiveness of using JSOWs on F-16s is likely much higher.
But in no case will this weapon solve Ukraine's strategic tasks.
"We're talking about another weapon that can help deter the Russian advance on Ukrainian territory. However, it cannot affect strategic issues related to strikes on targets in Russia. In reality, we need much longer-range capabilities," Khrapchynskyi said.
According to him, looking at the characteristics, JSOW is a "cool" bomb that can work well along the frontline. However, to work really effectively, it is necessary first to establish order in the airspace, achieve at least parity, which can be done by destroying enemy air defense systems, warehouses, and so on, to clear the skies for F-16s and other aircraft.
Ukraine to receive JSOW bombs
On September 26, the United States allocated new military aid to Ukraine worth $7.9 billion. The package includes Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW) cruise bombs.
JSOW is a high-tech guided bomb designed for long-range attacks without risking manned aircraft. This weapon uses GPS navigation and an inertial guidance system to precisely strike targets on land and at sea.
JSOW comes in several variants, the most well-known being JSOW-A, equipped with a fragmentation warhead.
JSOW can be deployed from various combat aircraft, such as the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, and F-35, making it versatile for different military scenarios.
