JDAM

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) program is a critical line item in the Department of the Navy's ammunition procurement budget, supporting the acquisition and integration of precision-guided munition kits. The primary goal of the JDAM program is to upgrade existing general purpose bombs by equipping them with a guidance kit that uses a Global Positioning System-aided Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS). This enhancement transforms unguided munitions into highly accurate, all-weather, precision weapons, thereby improving the Navy's strike capabilities across a range of operational environments.

The JDAM program is a joint effort between the Air Force and the Navy, with the Air Force serving as the lead service. The program is designated as ACAT 1C and focuses on integrating guidance kits with various bomb bodies, including the BLU-111, BLU-117, BLU-110, BLU-109, BLU-126, and BLU-137. The JDAM kits are compatible with a wide array of aircraft, such as the F/A-18, F-35, B-2A, B-1B, F-16, F-15E, AV-8B, and others, ensuring flexibility and interoperability across platforms.

A significant objective within this line item is the procurement of JDAM tail kits, specifically the SABR-M variant, which incorporates advanced digital anti-jamming technology. This technology, known as M-Code, is designed to ensure operational reliability and accuracy in GPS-denied or highly contested environments. The FY 2026 budget request supports the continued integration of M-Code, aligning with Department of Defense mandates and addressing emerging threats that require resilient navigation and targeting solutions.

The line item also funds the integration of the Next Generation Naval Mission Planning System (NGNMPS) Weapon Component Migration to JDAM M-Code. This effort aims to enhance mission planning capabilities for Navy aircraft, focusing on advanced digital anti-jamming and improved performance in high-threat scenarios. The migration to M-Code is essential for meeting the Navy's North Star 2027 requirement, which emphasizes advanced operational readiness in contested environments.

In addition to hardware procurement, the JDAM budget line supports activities related to production engineering, logistics, and obsolescence management. Funding is allocated to address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Material Shortages (DMSMS), supplier and parts replacement, and qualification activities to preserve future production capabilities. These measures are necessary to maintain a stable industrial base and ensure the long-term availability of JDAM kits for the fleet.

The FY 2026 request also reflects adjustments for efficiency, including a reduction for Advisory and Assistance Services in alignment with Executive Order 14222, which promotes government cost efficiency. The program leverages production lot negotiations to achieve cost savings and may use funding to increase production capacity in response to warfighter demand or unforeseen contingencies.

The JDAM line item incorporates supplemental funding from the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, which provided additional resources for the replacement of Navy stock. This resulted in increased procurement quantities in FY 2024 and FY 2025. The JDAM program's objectives are to sustain and modernize the Navy's precision strike inventory, ensure compatibility with evolving mission requirements, and maintain readiness through robust procurement, integration, and support activities.