Israel has secured permission for the acquisition of JDAM bomb guiding apparatus for its array of F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighter aircraft. Sanctioned by the United States, this prospective sale of Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits is estimated to cost around USD 510 million. This announcement was made public by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on the last day of June. This approval by the US Department of State encompasses the procurement of 3,845 KMU-558B/B JDAM kits for BLU-109 bombs and 3,280 KMU-572F/B JDAMs for MK 82 explosives.
The planned sale is anticipated to elevate Israel’s capacity to handle present and forthcoming threats. This improvement aims at bolstering the defense of Israeli frontiers, crucial facilities, and civilian population centers. DSCA noted in their announcement that this package also includes necessary government and contractor assistance and maintenance.
A JDAM kit in its standard design converts a traditional ‘dumb’ bomb into a precision-guided munition (PGM). This transformation is achieved by fitting the bomb with a tail section that contains an advanced weatherproof inertial navigation system (INS)/GPS satellite receiver, three-fin control mechanism, as well as an additional set of four aerodynamic strakes that attach to the bomb’s body, adding lift and extending glide range.
The KMU-558B/B JDAM kit brings additional capabilities to the BLU-109 2,000 lb ‘bunker buster’ penetrative bomb with a long-range stand-off feature. In the same vein, the KMU-572F/B JDAM kit extends similar features to the MK 82 500 lb general-purpose bomb.
All these precision-guided munitions are designed for and carried by three prime aircraft types of the Israeli Air Force (IAF). These are the F-15 and F-16, both produced by Boeing, and the F-35, which is a product of Lockheed Martin. These aircraft have been at the center of the defense strategy of Israel and with these new additions, their effectiveness in protecting Israeli territory from threats is expected to increase further.