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Joint Direct Attack Munition

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 aircraft carries a JDAM-LR weapon during a test flight off the coast of California.

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a special kit that changes regular bombs into smart bombs that can hit targets very accurately, even in bad weather. These smart bombs can travel up to 15 nautical miles (28 km) and weigh between 500 to 2,000 pounds (230 to 910 kg). The JDAM was created by the United States Air Force and United States Navy, which is why it is called "joint".

The JDAM is not a bomb by itself. It is a package that attaches to regular bombs to make them smart. It has special parts like control surfaces, a body kit, and a system that uses both inertial guidance and a Global Positioning System (GPS) to find its target.

The JDAM was designed to work better than older types of smart bombs that could be blocked by bad weather. Some JDAMs now also have laser seekers to improve their accuracy even more. From 1998 to November 2016, more than 300,000 JDAM kits were made. By January 2024, over 550,000 kits had been produced, showing how important this technology has become in modern warfare.

History

Development

The U.S. Air Force found its bombing during the Persian Gulf War to be less effective than expected because it lacked precision bombs that worked in all weather conditions. Bombs guided by lasers were very accurate in clear weather but struggled in dust, smoke, fog, or clouds. They also couldn’t be dropped from high altitudes. In 1992, work began on creating a bomb that could work in any weather. One idea was to use GPS for guidance.

At the time, there weren’t many GPS satellites, and using them for weapon guidance was new and uncertain. To test this, the Air Force started a quick program called “JDAM Operational Concept Demonstration” in early 1992. Companies like Honeywell and General Dynamics helped show that GPS-guided bombs could work. The first test drop happened on February 10, 1993, from an F-16 aircraft, and it was successful. More tests followed in different weather and conditions, proving the system’s accuracy.

To arm the B-2 Spirit bomber, which didn’t have a laser system, Northrop Grumman created a temporary solution called GPS Aided Munition (GAM). These used GPS and inertial navigation for accuracy even without GPS. GAMs were a stopgap until the JDAM could be ready. McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) was chosen for the JDAM program in October 1995.

The first JDAM kits were delivered in 1997, with testing in 1998 and 1999. Over 450 JDAMs were dropped during tests, showing high reliability and accuracy even in rain, snow, and clouds. Testing also included dropping multiple bombs at once, each aimed at different targets.

JDAM and the B-2 Spirit bomber first saw action during Operation Allied Force. B-2s flying long distances from Missouri dropped over 650 JDAMs. Due to the success, the program expanded to include smaller bombs for different uses. Lessons from later operations led to improvements like better GPS and adding a laser system to target moving objects.

JDAM bombs are cheaper than other options like cruise missiles. The original cost for the guidance kit was estimated at $40,000, but after bidding, it was made for $18,000. By 2011, the cost was about $27,000. Adding the bomb itself and other parts brings the total cost to around $30,000. In comparison, a newer cruise missile costs almost $1.87 million.

Operational use

JDAM bombs use a special tail system and a GPS-aided inertial navigation system to find their target. The system gets its starting position from the aircraft and then guides itself to the target. Target details can be set before the flight, changed by the crew, or sent from targeting equipment onboard the plane.

GPS guidance gives several advantages. It works in all weather conditions because GPS isn’t affected by rain, clouds, or smoke. Older precision bombs needed clear lines of sight to the target, which wasn’t possible in bad weather. GPS also allows the plane to launch the bomb from farther away and in different directions, making it safer. The bomb can adjust its path to hit the target accurately, even if launched from an angle. This “fire-and-forget” feature means the plane can leave the area right after launching.

GPS guidance also lets the bomb’s path be tailored for specific needs. For example, the bomb can hit the target at a certain angle to maximize damage or approach from a hidden direction. GPS timing helps coordinate multiple bombs to hit at the right moments.

Despite their accuracy, JDAMs can sometimes miss. In December 2001, a JDAM dropped by a B-52 in Afghanistan hit the wrong spot, harming friendly forces. This happened because someone changed the battery in a GPS receiver, causing it to show the wrong location. In May 2023, during the conflict in Ukraine, Russia used electronic methods to block GPS signals, causing some JDAMs to miss their targets. Later updates aim to make JDAMs less vulnerable to such interference.

Upgrades

Experience from operations led to adding new features to JDAMs. The Laser JDAM (LJDAM) adds a laser system to the bomb, allowing it to target moving objects. This works with or without GPS. Testing showed it could hit fast-moving targets successfully.

In 2007, Boeing got a contract to make 600 laser seekers for the Air Force and Navy. Tests with F-16 and F-15E planes showed the LJDAM could hit moving targets. Germany became the first international user in 2009. The LJDAM saw its first combat use in Iraq in 2008 and later in Afghanistan.

JDAMs loaded under the left wing of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, with a LITENING II Targeting Pod visible beneath the fuselage

Boeing also worked on an anti-jamming system for JDAMs, finishing development in 2007. Ukraine received JDAM-ER bombs with longer ranges to hit targets from farther away. These bombs can be launched from higher altitudes to avoid enemy defenses.

In May 2024, the U.S. began adding new seekers to JDAMs in Ukraine to counter Russian electronic warfare. In February 2025, Ukraine used a new 1,000 lb JDAM-ER variant for the first time.

There are three versions of JDAM-ER based on bomb weight: the 500 lb GBU-62, the 1,000 lb GBU-63, and the 2,000 lb GBU-64.

JDAM Long Range

In 2010, Boeing suggested adding a small jet engine to the JDAM-ER to give it much longer range. By 2020, the U.S. Air Force showed interest again. The Powered JDAM (PJDAM) uses a small engine to fly farther than more expensive missiles, though it’s not as hard to detect. In April 2026, the U.S. Navy tested the JDAM-LR, which can fly over 200 nautical miles to its target.

Variants

The JDAM has different versions that come in various weights. Some weigh about 2,000 pounds, others around 1,000 pounds, and some are about 500 pounds. These versions are used by different parts of the military and can carry different types of bombs.

Specifications

Integration

Current

JDAM can be used with many different airplanes and drones, including:

Past

JDAM could also be used with these airplanes, but they are no longer in service:

Operators

Current operators

Future operators

Similar systems

Here are some other systems like the Joint Direct Attack Munition from different countries:

Related articles

United States Air Force
United States Navy
Global Positioning System
Ukraine
U.S. Air Force
Dust

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