Israel intends to buy 3,845 Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits for the BLU-109 bomb body and 3,280 JDAM guidance kits for the MK 82 bomb body, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Monday. The FMS request also includes U.S. government and contractor engineering, logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.
What Are the Capabilities of JDAM?
Boeing, which will be the principal contractor of the potential sale, developed JDAM to convert unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions using GPS and inertial navigation. The system allows for accurate targeting, even in adverse weather conditions, by providing a guidance tail kit that attaches to unguided bombs.
According to the DSCA, the proposed sale will improve Israel’s capability to defend borders, critical infrastructure and population centers and will increase the country’s interoperability with U.S. forces. Assisting Israel in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability is vital to U.S. national interests, the agency added.
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