The inaugural flight test of an experimental extended-range Joint Direct Attack Munition last week is being hailed as a success after an F-16 based at Eglin AFB, FL, launched the 2,000-pound bomb in an Air Force Research Laboratory proof-of-concept demonstration. Lt. John Ehrman, laboratory program manager for JDAM-ER, said the bomb was released over a Gulf of Mexico water range April 21. After release, a set of "diamondback" wings deployed and allowed the weapon to fly 24 nautical miles, compared...