Boeing's 300-Nautical-Mile JDAM LR Precision Strike Weapon Enters Production
The US Air Force has given Boeing the green light to start producing its GBU-75 Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM LR), a precision strike weapon with a range of over 300 nautical miles. The decision follows nearly $100 million in company-funded development and comes after successful flight demonstrations conducted by the US Navy earlier this year.
The JDAM LR is designed to bridge the gap between bombs and cruise missiles, offering a high-volume precision-strike option at an affordable price. By leveraging the existing JDAM ecosystem, Boeing aims to provide aircraft with the capability to engage targets from well outside the effective range of modern air defense systems.
According to Boeing, the weapon will be used for precision land attack, maritime strike, and aerial mining missions. The company has confirmed that the system has demonstrated military-code GPS navigation and successful powered flight during testing, with each demonstration traveling over 200 nautical miles while maintaining guidance throughout the mission profile.