Article Posted on : - Aug 31, 2012

JDAM on stationary aircraft. A Boeing photo.

ST. LOUIS (BNS): A winged version of the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) that will triple the weapon's glide range to more than 40 miles is a step closer to production after completing wind tunnel tests at a U S facility in June.

Developed in partnership with the Commonwealth of Australia, the 500-pound JDAM Extended Range (JDAM-ER) features a modular add-on wing kit that will unfold in flight. The kit can also be coupled with other modular enhancements, such as laser sensors, Boeing said.

The wings were first integrated with the Boeing JDAM during the Commonwealth's Capability and Technology Demonstration programme, which successfully completed flight tests in 2008.

Boeing will produce and integrate the JDAM-ER wing kits for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under a contract awarded in 2011. The kits will be built in Australia, with initial deliveries expected to begin in early 2015.

JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing unguided bombs into near- precision weapons. Boeing has designed its JDAM kit to be modular so the product could mature with a variety of technological upgrades such as a laser sensor, improved immunity to GPS jamming, and an all-weather radar sensor. JDAM is used by 26 international militaries.