Boeing Integrated Defence Systems last week confirmed the launch order for its laser joint direct attack munition (LJDAM) - 400 kits for the US Air Force and 200 for the US Navy.
The order adds laser seeker kits to the global positioning system/inertial navigation system guidance kits that transform ‘dumb’ bombs into precision guided weapons.
The order, worth $28 million, is for 500lb (228kg) bombs, with deliveries due to start early in 2008 and be complete by June 2009.
The laser JDAM is a kit can be installed in the nose of JDAM rounds in the field.
In demonstrations at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, last month, US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15E Strike Eagles flying at 24,000ft laser-designated several fast-moving vehicles and dropped 12 500lb LJDAMs that hit within lethal range of the targets.
Source: Flight Daily News