Boeing has announced an agreement with Times Aerospace Korea (TAK) to jointly develop a wing assembly for joint direct attack munition (JDAM) range of smart bomb guidance kits.
JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided ‘smart’ weapons.
Under the teaming arrangement signed 27 February, Boeing and TAK will co-develop, test, and field a JDAM ER wing kit to convert the 2,000lb JDAM into a JDAM extended range.
Boeing weapons programmes vice president, Debra Rub said that this agreement was an example of Boeing’s efforts to form strategic partnerships.
“Our alliance with TAK is an important step forward in bringing the expanded capability of JDAM ER to the warfighter,” Rub said.
Over the course of the 40-month development programme, Boeing will provide support to TAK as the Korean company further develops its aerospace capabilities, including preparations for production of the JDAM ER wing assembly. Upon successful completion of the development and flight-test programs, TAK will become Boeing’s primary supplier for the 2,000lb JDAM ER wing assembly.
The JDAM kit consists of a tail section that contains a global positioning system / inertial navigation system and body strakes for additional stability and lift. The incorporation of the extended range wing kit extends JDAM’s stand-off range.
The baseline JDAM has been sold to the US Air Force and the US Navy, as well as to 22 international customers.
By Daniel Garrun.
