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Joint Direct Attack Munition

Updated: 12/20/2025, 11:21:16 AM Wikipedia source

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs", into all-weather precision-guided munitions (PGMs). JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km). JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 to 2,000 pounds (230 to 910 kg). The JDAM's guidance system was jointly developed by the United States Air Force and United States Navy, hence the "joint" in JDAM. When installed on a bomb, the JDAM kit is given a GBU (Guided Bomb Unit) identifier, superseding the Mark 80 or BLU (Bomb, Live Unit) nomenclature of the bomb to which it is attached. The JDAM is not a stand-alone weapon; rather it is a "bolt-on" guidance package that converts unguided gravity bombs into PGMs. The key components of the system are a tail section with aerodynamic control surfaces, a (body) strake kit, and a combined inertial guidance system and GPS guidance control unit. The JDAM was meant to improve upon laser-guided bomb and imaging infrared technology, which can be hindered by bad ground and weather conditions. Laser seekers are now being fitted to some JDAMs. From 1998 to November 2016, Boeing completed more than 300,000 JDAM guidance kits. In 2017, it built more than 130 kits per day. As of January 2024, 550,000 kits had been produced.

Infobox

Place of origin
United States
In service
Since 1999
Used by
See operators
Wars
mw- NATO bombing of YugoslaviaKurdish–Turkish conflictWar on terrorWar in AfghanistanIraq WarWar in North-West PakistanAl-Qaeda insurgency in YemenSomalia War (2006–2009)Somali Civil WarFirst Libyan Civil WarSyrian Civil WarAmerican-led intervention in the Syrian Civil WarAmerican-led intervention in IraqTurkish military intervention in SyriaOperation Olive BranchWar in Iraq (2013–2017)Yemeni Civil WarSaudi Arabian-led intervention in YemenHouthi–Saudi Arabian conflictSiege of MarawiRussian invasion of UkraineGaza warIsrael–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)2024 Israeli invasion of LebanonOperation Prosperity GuardianOperation Poseidon ArcherIran–Israel War
Designer
McDonnell Douglas
Designed
Late 1980s–1996
Manufacturer
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Unit cost
US $21,000–$36,000[note 1]
Variants
See variants
Launchplatform
F-15E, F-16, F/A-18, F/A-18E/F, AV-8B, A-10, B-1B, B-52H, F-22, B-2A, F-35, MQ-9, MiG-29, Su-27, Tornado, Gripen
References
Janes & The War Zone

Tables

Bomb specifications[92][93] · Specifications
Warhead
Warhead
Col 1
Warhead
GBU-38
Mark 82
GBU-54
Mark 83
JDAM-ER
Mark 84 & BLU-109
Launch weight
Launch weight
Col 1
Launch weight
GBU-38
559 lb (253.6 kg)
GBU-54
575–591 lb (260.8–268 kg)
JDAM-ER
498 lb (226 kg)
GBU-32
1,015 lb (460.5 kg)
GBU-55
1,047 lb (475 kg) (est)
GBU-31
2,040–2,120 lb (925.4–961.4 kg)
GBU-56
2,120–2,135 lb (961.6–968.4 kg)
Length
Length
Col 1
Length
GBU-38
7 ft 8.6 in (2.352 m)
GBU-54
7 ft 10 in (2.38 m)
JDAM-ER
Unknown
GBU-32
9 ft 11.5 in (3.035 m)
GBU-55
10 ft (3.05 m) (est)
GBU-31
12 ft 9 in – 12 ft 5 in (3.879–3.774 m)
GBU-56
12 ft 8 in (3.85 m)
Span
Span
Col 1
Span
GBU-38
14 in (356 mm)
GBU-54
17 in (431.8 mm)
JDAM-ER
Unknown
GBU-32
19.6 in (498 mm)
GBU-55
25 in (635 mm)
GBU-31
25.3 in (642.6 mm)
Lug spacing
Lug spacing
Col 1
Lug spacing
GBU-38
14 in (356 mm)
GBU-54
30 in (762 mm)
Guidancetype
Guidancetype
Col 1
Guidancetype
GBU-38
GPS, INS
GBU-54
GPS, INS, SAL
JDAM-ER
GPS, INS
GBU-32
GPS, INS, SAL
GBU-55
GPS, INS
GBU-31
GPS, INS, SAL
Max range
Max range
Col 1
Max range
GBU-38
13 nmi (24 km)
GBU-54
39.1 nmi (72.5 km)
JDAM-ER
13 nmi (24 km)
Accuracy (CEP)
Accuracy (CEP)
Col 1
Accuracy (CEP)
GBU-38
GPS: 16 ft 5 in (5 m)INS: 98 ft 5 in (30 m)
GBU-38
GBU-54
JDAM-ER
GBU-32
GBU-55
GBU-31
GBU-56
Warhead
Mark 82
Mark 83
Mark 84 & BLU-109
Launch weight
559 lb (253.6 kg)
575–591 lb (260.8–268 kg)
498 lb (226 kg)
1,015 lb (460.5 kg)
1,047 lb (475 kg) (est)
2,040–2,120 lb (925.4–961.4 kg)
2,120–2,135 lb (961.6–968.4 kg)
Length
7 ft 8.6 in (2.352 m)
7 ft 10 in (2.38 m)
Unknown
9 ft 11.5 in (3.035 m)
m) (est)
12 ft 9 in – 12 ft 5 in (3.879–3.774 m)
12 ft 8 in (3.85 m)
Span
14 in (356 mm)
17 in (431.8 mm)
Unknown
19.6 in (498 mm)
25 in (635 mm)
25.3 in (642.6 mm)
Lug spacing
14 in (356 mm)
30 in (762 mm)
Guidancetype
GPS, INS
GPS, INS, SAL
GPS, INS
GPS, INS, SAL
GPS, INS
GPS, INS, SAL
Max range
13 nmi (24 km)
nmi (72.5 km)
13 nmi (24 km)
Accuracy (CEP)
GPS: 16 ft 5 in (5 m)INS: 98 ft 5 in (30 m)

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