The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded Boeing, a leading American defense contractor, a $7.4 billion contract for the supply of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits.
This is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, meaning the exact number of kits is not specified upfront, with deliveries expected to continue until February 2030.
The contract includes the provision of various JDAM components:
- Tail kits for different bomb sizes (MK-82, MK-83, MK-84)
- Spare parts
- Repair kits
- Laser JDAM sensor kits
This award comes shortly after the State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal with Canada for JDAM equipment valued at $96.4 million (Canadian $132 million).
Canada requested additional JDAM tail kits (including KMU-572, KMU-556, and KMU-557 models) to supplement a previous FMS case.
JDAM: A Cornerstone of Precision Strike Capability
Developed by Boeing, JDAM tail kits transform unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons. These kits integrate an inertial navigation system (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) for guidance, enabling compatibility with various bomb sizes (from 500lb to 2,000lb).
Key features of JDAM include:
- Long-range deployment: JDAM can be dropped from over 15 miles away from the target.
- High accuracy: The system boasts a reliability rate exceeding 95% and achieves a circular error probability (CEP) of less than 1.7 meters, surpassing the 3.3-meter requirement.
- Extensive use: JDAM has been in production since 1998 and is a mainstay of the U.S. and allied air forces. With over 500,000 units produced, it has also seen significant international sales.
- Ongoing development: Advanced JDAM variants are under development, including powered versions that extend the munition’s range beyond 70 kilometers.pen_spark
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