GBU-38 JDAM adds precision punch to U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Drone

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UNITED STATES - 14 March 2009

WRIGHT-PATTERSON U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The already lethal MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system will soon bring even more punch to the enemy in the form of the Joint Direct Attack Munition.

The results of the series of GBU-38 JDAM test drops at the China Lake test range in California are still being evaluated, but they mark a significant step in certifying the Reaper to carry the 500 pound version of the JDAM.

Considering the Reaper's perfect 9 hits out of 9 drops, the way ahead looks clear.

"This is a great success that adds another valuable weapon system to the warfighter's arsenal," said Col. Chris Coombs, 703rd Aeronautical Systems Group Commander. "Putting the JDAM on the Reaper significantly increases its lethality on the battlefield."

Flight testing is only one part of the process, according to Colonel Coombs. After additional analysis, the group hopes to certify JDAM capability on the Reaper this July.

Currently, the Reaper is authorized to carry the GBU-12 Paveway II, which is a 500 lb., laser guided bomb and the AGM-114 Hellfire missile. The JDAM adds the precision afforded by its global positioning system guidance control unit along with adverse weather capability.

"We try to look at the types of target sets the warfighter needs to engage and the best weapon to utilize including a range of factors such as collateral damage," Colonel Coombs said. "Our next step is to add the GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb which will further increase the types of target sets the warfighter can engage."

The Aeronautical Systems Center's 703rd AESG teamed with other contractors and government agencies from General Atomics, The Boeing Co., Kaman Dayron Co., as well as the 678th Armament Systems Squadron and 679th Armament Systems Squadron, both based at Eglin AFB Fla., to conduct the tests. In fact, the 679 ARSS was awarded the John J. Welch Jr. Award for Acquisition Leadership in large part to the squadron's efforts in the JDAM tests.

GBU-38 JDAM & AGM-114 Hellfire

 

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U.S. Air Force Increases Order for Boeing-built Joint Direct Attack Munition Kits
UNITED STATES - 11 MARCH 2010

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received a contract modification from the U.S. Air Force for the fiscal year 2010 production of more than 6,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits. The modification increases the overall value of this phase from $72 million to $229 million.

Boeing will deliver the kits from this order in 2011 and 2012. The FY2010 production is the third procurement of a six-year contract Boeing received in January 2008. That agreement now has a potential total value of $1.3 billion with deliveries extending through 2015, if all options are exercised.

"JDAM provides warfighters with an effective, accurate and battle-tested weapon," said Dan Jaspering, Boeing director of Direct Attack Programs. "These additional JDAMs will supplement the original contract to ensure the long-term availability of this cost-effective weapon on today’s battlefield."

JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing 500-, 1,000- and 2,000-pound unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided "smart" weapons. Its modular design allows customers to easily upgrade the weapon in the field to provide additional capability, such as laser guidance and extended range. Boeing has produced more than 210,000 JDAM kits since 1998. The Air Force and U.S. Navy have used JDAM weapons in both Afghanistan and Iraq.


Source: The Boeing Company