Laser JDAM enters full-rate production

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ST. LOUIS, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- A contract modification from the U.S. Navy to Boeing has moved the manufacturing of Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions to full-rate production.

Under the modification, worth $22.7 million, Boeing will deliver more than 2,300 Laser JDAM kits, which convert unguided free-fall bombs into near precision-guided weapons.

The addition of laser guidance to JDAMs increases weapon effectiveness against moving targets and maritime threats.

"The Boeing JDAM has been successfully employed by U.S. warfighters and allies around the globe for more than a decade," said Debbie Rub, Boeing vice president and general manager, Missiles and Unmanned Airborne Systems.

"The advanced capability of Laser JDAM offers our customers unparalleled accuracy and flexibility against a wider range of emerging threats on today's ever-changing battlefields."

The low-cost modular guidance kits can be easily and quickly installed by ordnance crews.

The contract modification was issued by the Navy's Naval Air Systems Command. It is a firm-fixed price contract. Deliveries under this contract begin next spring and will continue for a year.