All weapons eventually lose some effectiveness as the enemy adapts. That Russia is developing countermeasures shouldn't be surprising. Indeed, HIMARS proved crucial in Ukraine's limited counteroffensive in summer 2022, as rockets devastated Russian headquarters and supply dumps. These GPS-guided munitions initially offered Ukraine hope of offsetting Russian superiority in manpower and weapons. The JDAM Extended Range bombs sent to Ukraine reportedly have a range of up to 50 miles, allowing launch aircraft to remain safely out of range of Russian air defenses. By attaching fins and a GPS guidance system to cheap, old-fashioned "dumb" bombs, Ukraine could produce long-range guided weapons at a fraction of the cost of special precision-guided munitions that are in short supply. The effect on JDAM is particularly significant, as it is arguably the simplest and most cost-effective smart bomb.
Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Ukrainian troops fire M142 HIMARS rockets toward Bakhmut in May. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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