Boeing and the US Air Force have completed development flight testing of the Mk82 225kg (500lb) version of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) on the Lockheed Martin F-16. Production deliveries of the GBU-38 are to begin in 2004 to arm the Northrop Grumman B-2, carrying 80 on a new bomb rack.
The smallest JDAM is expected to be the major export variant and Boeing has teamed with MBDA to offer the weapon for the UK's Precision-Guided Bomb (PGB) programme, with a decision expected in March.
Also competing for the PGB programme is Raytheon, with Enhanced Paveway. Integration flights are also under way on the Boeing F/A-18, while B-2 integration tests are planned for next year.
Boeing has now developed JDAM guidance kits for six bomb types: the 900kg Mk84 high-explosive and BLU-109 penetrator warheads; 450kg Mk83 and BLU-110; and the 225kg Mk82 and BLU-111. The first GBU-38 orders are expected next year, in the next procurement lot for the US armed forces.
With orders for over 70,000 JDAMs, Boeing is producing kits at a rate of 2,000 a month and is funded to increase this to 2,800 a month by next August. The company is projecting sales of over 230,000 JDAMs to the US forces, worth $5 billion, plus 50,000-60,000 for export, worth almost $1 billion.
Source: Flight International
