The US Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA) to begin production of the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit (PDU) for the Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM LR). The award follows Boeing’s nearly $100 million internal investment and supports initial production for the US Navy.
JDAM LR extends the capabilities of the proven JDAM by adding a wing kit and compact turbojet engine, allowing the weapon to strike targets at ranges of more than 300 nautical miles while carrying a 500-pound (226 kg) payload. It is designed for precision land strikes, naval attacks, and maritime aerial mining.
Because it builds on the existing JDAM architecture, the system can be produced at scale and integrated quickly with aircraft already capable of carrying conventional JDAMs, helping keep costs lower than developing an entirely new weapon.
Boeing also announced that JDAM LR recently completed its first successful flight test off the California coast, demonstrating powered flight, military GPS-guided navigation, and accurate target tracking. According to Boeing, the system provides an affordable, long-range precision-strike capability that allows operators to engage targets from beyond the reach of many enemy air defenses.
