Ukraine's JDAM-ER Bombs to Get Home-on Sensors to Target Russian Electronic Warfare Assets

The United States has taken steps to bolster Ukraine's aerial capabilities by outfitting Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) bombs with advanced Home-on GPS (HOJ) sensors designed to counter Russian electronic warfare (EW) tactics.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $23 million contract to Scientific Applications and Research Associates (SARA) for the acquisition and integration of these HOJ sensors into JDAM-ER kits. This move comes in response to reports of Russian EW systems significantly degrading the effectiveness of allied GPS-guided munitions, including the JDAM-ER, utilized in Ukraine since at least March 2023.

The HOJ sensors enable JDAM-ER bombs to autonomously identify and home in on electronic warfare assets deployed by Russian forces. By integrating these sensors, the U.S. aims to turn one of the weapons most affected by Russian EW into a more resilient and effective tool on the battlefield.

The upcoming F-16 fighter jets will most likely carry the JDAM-ER bombs and the Home-on GPS (HOJ) sensors. Ukraine is expecting to receive the first combat-capable F-16s in the next couple of months.

Scientific Applications and Research Associates has expertise in developing similar capabilities for various precision munitions and emphasizes that the HOJ system is compact, cost-effective, and easily integrable into existing aviation precision weapons systems.