Boeing Begins Laser JDAM production For U.S Navy

Boeing has begun a full-rate production to meet the Navy’s Direct Attack Moving Target Capability (DAMTC) program requirement. Under the terms of the $22.7 million contract, the U.S Navy requires more than 2,300 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (Laser JDAM) sensors. JDAM is a low-cost, modular guidance kit that converts unguided free-fall bombs into near precision-guided weapons. Laser functionality boosts the weapon's effectiveness against moving targets, maritime threats and other re-locatable targets. "The Boeing JDAM has been successfully employed by U.S. warfighters and allies around the globe for more than a decade," said Debbie Rub, Boeing vice president and general manager, Missiles and Unmanned Airborne Systems. "The advanced capability of Laser JDAM offers our customers unparalleled accuracy and flexibility against a wider range of emerging threats on today’s ever-changing battlefields". "Proven in combat, Boeing’s Laser JDAM attacks moving targets accurately and reliably with minimal collateral damage," said Charlie Davis, Laser JDAM program manager for Boeing. "Adding the laser sensor is an affordable option that's easy for ordnance crews to install and straightforward to use by pilots already familiar with JDAM". Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded the firm-fixed price contract modification on July 17. Deliveries under this contract begin in spring 2013 and continue through spring 2014. Boeing completed the development and testing cycle for Laser JDAM less than 17 months after the capability was identified as an urgent operational need in early 2007. The company delivered the first production laser sensor kits to the U.S. military in 2008, and the U.S. Air Force successfully employed them in combat in Iraq that same year.