Boeing cleared to produce jet-powered JDAM-LR for US Navy, extending strike range to 345+ miles

Published Aug 6, 11:15 PM UTC

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.