JDAM (GBU-31)
USA · 1997 · 0.9 tons TNT · conventional high-explosive
Overview
GPS-guided 2000 lb bomb.
With a yield of 0.9 tons TNT, the JDAM (GBU-31) is 16667× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb. It is a conventional high-explosive weapon that releases its energy through chemical reactions, not nuclear processes.
JDAM (GBU-31) Blast Effects
The table below shows the calculated radius of each effect zone for an air burst (optimal altitude, maximum blast spread) and a surface burst (ground level, with massive radioactive fallout). Formulas are scaling laws from The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977).
| Effect zone | Air burst | Surface burst |
|---|---|---|
| Fireball radius | 0.01 km | 0.01 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 0.05 km | 0.03 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 0.10 km | 0.06 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 0.29 km | 0.16 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 0.04 km | 0.02 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 0.07 km | 0.04 km |
| Lethal fallout zone | minimal | ~0.7 km |
All values are 1-D ground-distance estimates from the detonation point. Real-world effects depend on terrain, weather, and building construction.
Run the JDAM (GBU-31) on a City
Use the interactive simulator to detonate the JDAM (GBU-31) on any city worldwide. Click any location on the map to see the fireball, blast, and thermal radii overlaid on real geography with population-density-based casualty estimates.
🎯 Simulate JDAM (GBU-31)Related Weapons
FAQ
How big is the JDAM (GBU-31) blast radius?
In an air burst, the JDAM (GBU-31) produces a fireball roughly 0.01 km in radius and a 5 PSI moderate-blast zone of about 0.10 km — the area in which most residential buildings would collapse. The 1 PSI light-damage radius extends to roughly 0.29 km, where windows shatter.
What is the yield of the JDAM (GBU-31)?
The JDAM (GBU-31) has a yield of 0.9 tons TNT of TNT equivalent. That is 16667× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.
Is the JDAM (GBU-31) bigger than the Hiroshima bomb?
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The JDAM (GBU-31) at 0.9 tons TNT is 16667× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.