Boeing has secured a $75m undefinitised contract action (UCA) from the US Air Force (USAF) to begin production of the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit (PDU) Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM LR).
The announcement follows a series of successful test flights and Boeing’s internal investment of nearly $100m in the programme.
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Clearing the way for initial production, the contract enables delivery of JDAM LR units for the US Navy.
The JDAM LR is a precision-guided munition designed to deliver a 226kg payload at ranges exceeding 300 nautical miles.
The munition integrates a wing kit and compact turbojet engine with the existing JDAM guidance tailkit, extending its operational reach for land strike, naval strike and aerial-mining missions.
Boeing stated that, by leveraging the pre-existing JDAM infrastructure, the JDAM LR can be produced at high volumes and integrated rapidly with any aircraft that currently operates JDAM munitions.
Boeing Precision Engagement Systems vice president Bob Ciesla said: “This first production contract is a major milestone for the JDAM LR program, demonstrating our ability to deliver long-range precision-strike capability at a significantly lower cost.
“Scaling production of the GBU-75 will provide the fleet with an affordable, sustainable solution designed to eliminate long-range land and sea-based threats to US and international forces and enable them to safely and effectively operate in a contested battlespace.”
The award comes after the JDAM LR completed its first test flights off the coast of California earlier this year.
During a test on 1 April, the weapon was dropped from a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet and successfully completed engine start, cruise, and guided terminal flight before impacting water after a 34-minute powered flight covering nearly 200 nautical miles.
A subsequent test on 3 April demonstrated the munition’s ability to perform altitude changes and execute manoeuvres during flight, according to Boeing.
The JDAM LR is designed to operate from a range of platforms, including both USAF and US Navy fighters and bombers, as well as aircraft operated by international partners capable of carrying conventional JDAMs.
According to Boeing, more than 3,500 aircraft across 15 platforms are compatible.
The company said that the JDAM LR programme is establishing manufacturing facilities for the weapon at its St. Charles site in Missouri, while also conducting qualification and aircraft integration activities in preparation for initial deployment.
