Alexandria, La. -- Claiborne Range tested its capability to receive inert weapons equipped with Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits for the first time here, June 18, 2025.
A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing dropped two JDAM-enabled inert bombs on a static target at speeds and heights likely to be used in a combat scenario.
The effort marks the latest improvement in Claiborne’s ongoing capability expansion.
“This range was designed to train with the A-10 (Thunderbolt II), so it’s been a decade-long process in converting it for use by other aircraft, including the B-52,” said William Avants, Claiborne Range operations officer. “The biggest obstacle in getting JDAMs here was ensuring we met all the safety parameters with the Weapons Drop Zone (WDZ).”
The WDZ is a software program used by range officials to evaluate where a weapon could potentially land if it misses its intended target.
JDAM kits use a combination of GPS and inertial navigation, making them highly effective and accurate in combat scenarios. However, safety standards require ranges to absorb all primary and secondary weapon effects, according to Avants.
“If you are dropping a weapon with fins on it and give it controls, we have to account for what happens if all those controls slam in one direction and it impacts well away from its intended target.”
Kurt McClure, the range operations authority for the 307th Bomb Wing, initially attempted to create a new target area on the range specifically for JDAMs and Laser-Guided Bombs, or LGBs.
However, the required tree removal became a problem.
“We tried to get loggers out here for two years, but no one would touch the job,” he said. “There was too much concern there might be A-10 rounds lodged in the trees that could damage logging and sawmill equipment.”
McClure was ultimately able to work with the algorithm in the WDZ software to use existing target areas.
He worked to reduce jet speed and altitude while maintaining combat-realistic drop scenarios.
McClure’s efforts resulted in two successful weapons drops, both hitting the effective target area.
The ability of the range to accept JDAMs and LGBs increases training optionality for the B-52 community at Barksdale Air Force Base, a 30-minute flight from Claiborne Range.
All flying squadrons at Barksdale, including the B-52 Stratofortress Formal Training Unit in charge of all initial and requalification training for B-52 aircrews, currently use Smoky Hill Range in Kansas for such drops.
“If the weather is bad at Smoky Hill, then (FTU) students can still get training at Claiborne, and the active-duty squadrons are already using it for electronic warfare training,” said McClure. “Weapons drop capability is an added attractive feature.”
The new weapons drop capability adds to a laundry list of innovations over the past decade that have made Claiborne a usage area for units across the Air Force and the Army.
“We’re located near Ft. Polk in the middle of Kisatchie National Forest, so there are no worries about encroachment,” said Avants.
To find out more about Claiborne Range capabilities, contact the 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office at 318-529-3025.