Air Force Awards Boeing $75 Million Contract for Long-Range JDAMs
The US Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million contract to produce long-range JDAMs, expanding its arsenal and increasing the range of key munitions. The new variant, GBU-75 JDAM-LR, has a stand-off range of more than 300 nautical miles for a 500-pound payload, significantly exceeding the standard GBU-38 JDAM's 15 nm.
The long-range variant adds a Kratos TDI-J85 turbojet providing 200 pounds of thrust to enable jets to attack from a much safer distance. According to retired Air Force Col. Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, 'This is a good decision, though long overdue.' He notes that this will give the Air Force new options to conduct strikes from medium-range standoff distances.
The JDAM-LR was developed through the Navy, with rapid development recognized by its completion of flight testing in April. Gunzinger also highlights the affordability of the new munition, stating 'This will cost far less than more exquisite stand-off munitions, so they should be considered as an affordable mass capability.'