US Air Force Awards Boeing $7.5 Billion Contract for Joint Direct Attack Munition Tail Kits
The US Air Force has granted Boeing a $7.5 billion contract for JDAM tail kits, enhancing precision-guided munitions capabilities. This includes spares, repairs, and upgrades with international sales.
The United States Air Force has awarded Boeing a substantial $7.5 billion contract to supply Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits. These kits transform unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions, significantly enhancing their effectiveness.
Contract Details
The contract covers not only the tail kits but also includes spares, repairs, technical services, and Laser JDAM sensor kits. The project is expected to be completed by February 29, 2030. Additionally, some JDAM kits will be supplied to the US Navy, and nearly $228 million worth of kits will be sold to international customers through the Foreign Military Sales program.
JDAM Kit Capabilities
A JDAM kit is a bolt-on guidance package equipped with a GPS-aided inertial navigation system. This system allows a previously unguided bomb to be accurately steered towards its target, even under adverse weather conditions. The standard JDAM can hit targets up to 17 miles (28 kilometers) away, while the extended range version, JDAM-ER, can reach up to 45 miles (72 kilometers).
JDAM kits can be fitted to bombs weighing between 500 pounds (228 kilograms) and 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms). The cost per unit ranges from $25,000 to $84,000, although the exact number of units to be delivered under this contract has not been disclosed.
Use in Ukraine
In 2023, an unspecified number of JDAM-ERs were provided to Ukraine as part of a US military aid package. These munitions were intended to enable Ukrainian forces to strike Russian targets that were previously beyond the reach of their air- and ground-launched systems, including the HIMARS artillery rockets. However, the effectiveness of JDAMs in Ukraine has been challenged by Russian GPS jamming tactics, which interfere with the guidance systems of these munitions.
Former Pentagon official and retired CIA officer Mick Mulroy noted, "There may be concern that the Russians are jamming the signal used to direct the JDAMs, which would explain why these munitions are not performing as expected."
Countermeasures
In response to these challenges, the US Air Force has ordered add-on seekers for JDAMs that are resistant to electronic jamming. These upgrades are aimed at ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of JDAMs in electronically contested environments.
Conclusion
This significant investment by the US Air Force in JDAM technology underscores the importance of precision-guided munitions in modern warfare. The enhancements provided by these kits ensure that the US military and its allies maintain a tactical edge, even in challenging conditions where electronic warfare is a factor.
