US approves JDAM kits as Israel replenishes munitions stocks

Israel has been approved for JDAM guidance kits for bombs to be carried by its F-15, F-16, and F-35 (pictured) combat aircraft types. (Israeli Air Force)

The United States has approved the sale to Israel of Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits for an estimated USD510 million.

Announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 30 June, the US Department of State approval covers 3,845 KMU-558B/B JDAM kits for BLU-109 bombs and 3,280 KMU-572F/B JDAM kits for MK 82 bombs.

“The proposed sale will enhance Israel's capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend Israel's borders, vital infrastructure, and population centres,” the DSCA said, noting that government and contractor support and sustainment is included.

In its baseline form, a JDAM kit turns a conventional ‘dumb' bomb into a precision-guided munition (PGM) through the fitting of a tail section containing an all-weather inertial navigation system (INS)/GPS satellite receiver and three-fin control system, as well as a ‘bolt-on' set of four aerofoil strakes along the bomb bodies that provide lift and additional glide range.

The KMU-558B/B JDAM kit adds the extended-range stand-off capability to the BLU-109 2,000 lb ‘bunker buster' penetrator bomb, with the KMU-572F/B JDAM kit doing the same for the MK 82 500 lb general purpose bomb. Both PGMs are carried by Israeli Air Force (IAF) Boeing F-15, Lockheed Martin F-16, and Lockheed Martin F-35 combat aircraft types.

For more information on recent Israeli PGM approvals, please see US approves billions of dollars of munitions for Israel .