Boeing Wins $75M Contract for Jet-Powered JDAM Long-Range Bomb
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $75 million initial production contract for the GBU-75 JDAM Long Range (JDAM LR), a wing-and-turbojet kit converting 500-pound bombs into precision-guided munitions with over 300 nautical miles range. Developed with the Navy and tested in April 2026, the weapon offers fourth-generation aircraft a low-cost standoff strike capability against advanced air defenses. Boeing invested nearly $100 million internally. First units go to the U.S. Navy.
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U.S. Navy Approves Production of Jet-Powered JDAM-LR Standoff Munitions
The U.S. Navy has given the green light for production of the JDAM-LR (Joint Direct Attack Munition – Long Range), a jet-powered variant of the standard JDAM. This new munition provides a lower-cost, standoff capability for carrier air wings, allowing aircraft to strike targets from a safer distance. The decision marks a significant step in expanding the Navy's arsenal of precision-guided weapons, enhancing strike options without the high cost of cruise missiles. The JDAM-LR is expected to improve the survivability and effectiveness of naval aviation in contested environments.
U.S. Navy Approves Production of Jet-Powered JDAM-LR Standoff Munitions
The U.S. Navy has given the green light for production of the JDAM-LR (Joint Direct Attack Munition – Long Range), a jet-powered variant of the standard JDAM. This new munition provides a lower-cost, standoff capability for carrier air wings, allowing aircraft to strike targets from a greater distance. The decision marks a significant step in expanding the Navy's arsenal of precision-guided weapons, enhancing strike options while managing costs. The JDAM-LR is expected to improve survivability for pilots by enabling attacks from outside the range of many air defense systems.
Jet-Powered JDAM Production Approved for U.S. Navy
Boeing has received clearance to begin production of the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Long Range (JDAM-LR) for the U.S. Navy, under a $75 million Undefinitized Contract Action managed by the U.S. Air Force. The JDAM-LR is a powered, cruise-missile-like variant of the standard JDAM, combining a turbojet engine, pop-out wings, and a 500-pound bomb warhead. It offers a stand-off range exceeding 345 miles, dramatically improving on the 15-mile range of unpowered JDAMs. The weapon, designated GBU-75/B, uses GPS-assisted inertial guidance and can be configured with various warheads, including anti-ship mines. Boeing has invested nearly $100 million of its own funds in the program, which aims to provide an affordable, scalable long-range precision-strike capability for carrier air wings and potentially other services.
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U.S. Navy Approves Production of Jet-Powered JDAM-LR Standoff Munitions
Boeing has received a $75 million Undefinitized Contract Action from the U.S. Air Force to begin production of the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Long Range (JDAM-LR) for the U.S. Navy. The JDAM-LR is a powered, cruise-missile-like variant of the standard JDAM, combining a 500-pound-class bomb with a pop-out wing kit and a compact turbojet engine. It offers a standoff range of over 345 miles, far exceeding the 15-mile range of unpowered JDAMs. The weapon, designated GBU-75/B, uses GPS-assisted inertial navigation for targeting static coordinates, with potential for future multi-mode seekers. The contract follows successful test launches from F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in April 2024. Boeing has invested nearly $100 million of its own funds in the program, which aims to provide the Navy with an affordable, long-range precision-strike capability for contested environments.
U.S. Navy Approves Production of Jet-Powered JDAM-LR Precision Munitions
Boeing has received a $75 million undefinitized contract action from the U.S. Air Force to begin production of the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Long Range (JDAM-LR) for the U.S. Navy. The JDAM-LR, designated GBU-75/B, is a powered variant of the standard JDAM kit, combining a 500-pound-class bomb with a turbojet engine, pop-out wings, and GPS-assisted inertial guidance. It offers a stand-off range of over 345 miles, significantly exceeding the 15-mile range of unpowered JDAMs. The weapon was successfully test-launched from F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in April. Boeing has invested nearly $100 million of its own funds in the program, which aims to provide an affordable, long-range precision-strike capability for carrier air wings and potentially other services.
Boeing wins first production contract for jet-powered JDAM long-range bomb
Boeing announced on August 6, 2026, that it received a $75 million initial production contract from the U.S. Air Force for the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit, a wing-and-turbojet engine kit that converts a 500-pound JDAM into the long-range GBU-75. The jet-powered bomb can fly over 300 nautical miles, giving it cruise missile-like reach. Boeing invested nearly $100 million of its own funds in the program. The first GBU-75s are destined for the U.S. Navy, which successfully tested the weapon in April 2026, with two rounds covering roughly 200 nautical miles each. The kit is designed to use existing JDAM production lines and guidance hardware, and any aircraft capable of dropping a conventional JDAM can carry the new variant without modification. The contract is an undefinitized action, meaning Boeing began work before a final price was agreed upon.
Boeing wins first production contract for jet-powered JDAM long-range guided bomb
Boeing announced on August 6, 2026, that it has received a $75 million production contract from the U.S. Air Force for the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit, a wing-and-turbojet engine kit that converts a standard 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) into the GBU-75 JDAM Long Range (JDAM LR). This jet-powered guided bomb can fly over 300 nautical miles, transforming a gravity bomb into a cruise missile-like weapon. Boeing invested nearly $100 million of its own funds in the program. The first GBU-75s are destined for the U.S. Navy, which successfully tested the weapon in April 2026, with two rounds launched from Super Hornets covering roughly 200 nautical miles and landing within meters of their targets. The kit is designed to reuse existing JDAM production infrastructure and can be carried by any jet capable of dropping a conventional JDAM without modification. The contract is an undefinitized action, meaning Boeing began work before final price agreement.
Boeing wins first production contract for jet-powered JDAM
Boeing announced on August 6, 2026, that the U.S. Air Force has awarded a $75 million initial production contract for the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit, a wing-and-turbojet engine kit that converts a 500-pound JDAM into the long-range GBU-75 (JDAM LR), capable of flying over 300 nautical miles. Boeing invested nearly $100 million of its own funds in the program. The first units are destined for the U.S. Navy, which successfully tested the weapon in April 2026, with Super Hornets releasing two JDAM LRs that flew 200 nautical miles and hit targets within meters. The kit uses existing JDAM production lines and guidance hardware, and any jet capable of dropping a conventional JDAM can carry the new variant without modification. The contract is an undefinitized action, meaning Boeing began work before final price agreement.
US Air Force Awards Boeing $75M Contract for JDAM LR Initial Production
The US Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million undefinitised contract action to begin initial production of the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM LR). The contract enables delivery of units for the US Navy. The JDAM LR is a precision-guided munition capable of delivering a 226kg payload at ranges exceeding 300 nautical miles, integrating a wing kit and compact turbojet engine with the existing JDAM guidance tailkit. Boeing invested nearly $100 million internally in the program. The weapon successfully completed test flights off California in April, including a 34-minute powered flight covering nearly 200 nautical miles from a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet. The munition is compatible with over 3,500 aircraft across 15 platforms, including USAF and US Navy fighters and bombers. Boeing is establishing manufacturing facilities at its St. Charles, Missouri site.
Long-Range JDAM Deal Gives Air Force New Standoff Strike Option
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million initial production contract for the long-range Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM-LR), designated GBU-75. This new variant, powered by a Kratos TDI-J85 turbojet, provides a standoff range of over 300 nautical miles for a 500-pound payload, a significant increase from the standard JDAM's 15 nm and the extended-range JDAM-ER's 45 nm. Developed with the Navy and tested in April, the weapon aims to give fourth-generation aircraft a safer standoff strike capability against advanced air defenses. Retired Air Force Col. Mark Gunzinger of the Mitchell Institute called the decision overdue but valuable, noting the weapon costs far less than other stand-off munitions and can help rebuild depleted inventories. The 2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes $277 million for 1,150 upgraded JDAM guidance kits. Boeing's vice president Bob Ciesla stated the contract demonstrates the ability to deliver affordable long-range precision strike capability.
Long-Range JDAM Deal Gives Air Force New Standoff Strike Option
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million production contract for the long-range Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM-LR), designated GBU-75. This new variant, developed with the Navy, features a Kratos TDI-J85 turbojet providing 200 pounds of thrust, extending its stand-off range to over 300 nautical miles for a 500-pound payload—a significant increase from the standard JDAM's 15 nautical miles. The weapon completed flight testing in April 2025. The contract aims to provide affordable mass capability for fourth-generation aircraft and bombers, addressing risks from improved adversary air defenses. The 2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes $277 million for 1,150 upgraded JDAM guidance kits. This procurement supports rebuilding munitions stocks depleted during operations like Epic Fury, and complements the Air Force's Family of Affordable Mass Missiles program.