Boeing's JDAM LR Kit Turns Bombs into Cruise Missiles
Boeing has secured a $75 million contract from the Air Force to deliver its new JDAM LR kit, which turns a standard bomb into a cruise missile. The kit includes a turbojet engine that extends the range of the JDAM from 15 nautical miles to over 300 nautical miles.
The JDAM LR is designed to be used with existing U.S. military aircraft, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters and B-52 Stratofortress bombers, without modification. This versatility makes it an attractive option for military commanders who need a reliable and effective way to strike targets at long range.
Captain Sarah Abbott, Navy Precision Strike Weapons program manager, praised the JDAM LR's ability to provide pilots with a tactical advantage in contested environments. 'As Naval Air Force’s in theater continue to rely heavily on JDAM systems, the program recognizes a critical need to provide the fleet with greater standoff range,' she said.
The first delivery of the new JDAM LRs is slated for the Navy, and Boeing plans to set up manufacturing space at its St. Charles, Missouri facility. The company's vice president, Bob Ciesla, noted that the JDAM LR program demonstrates their ability to deliver long-range precision-strike capability at a significantly lower cost.