The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that
converts general purpose, free-fall bombs into guided “smart”
weapons capable of accurate strikes in bad weather. The bombs
are guided by movable tail fins controlled by an Inertial Navigation
System (INS) aided by a Global Positioning System (GPS ).
Joint Direct
Attack Munition
(JDAM)
Range: Can be
launched up to 15
miles from target
Warhead: Used with
existing inventory of
Mk-83 1,000- and
Mk-84 2,000-pound
general purpose
unitary bombs and
2,000-pound hard
target penetrator
bomb or “bunker
buster”
Accuracy:
within 43 feet
Cost per kit:
$21,000
During free fall, the
bomb’s GPS receives
location data correcting
INS errors.
The guidance
computer uses the
GPS/INS data to
adjust the movable tail
fins and correct the bomb’s
trajectory toward the
designated target’s
coordinates.
Drawing is
schematic
SOURCES: AP;Program Executive Office
Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation;
Jane’s Information Group; GlobalSecurity.org; Boeing Corp.
