Joint Direct Attack Munition

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Program is a joint initiative between the Air Force and Navy, with the Air Force serving as the lead service. The primary objective of this program is to upgrade the existing inventory of general-purpose bombs by integrating them with a field-installed guidance kit that utilizes a Global Positioning System-aided Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS). This integration provides enhanced accuracy and adverse weather capability, enabling precision strike operations under a wide range of conditions.

The JDAM is compatible with multiple platforms, including the B-52H, B-2A, B-1B, F-16, F/A-18, F-15E, AV-8B, A-10C, F-22A, F-35, and MQ-9 aircraft, with ongoing integration for the B-21 bomber. The program's specific procurement goals for FY 2026 include acquiring JDAM guidance kits, which are critical for maintaining and expanding the Air Force's precision strike capabilities, particularly in GPS-denied environments. Procurement also encompasses laser sensors, airborne test equipment, and supporting activities such as software block upgrades, integration, Program Support Costs (PSC), and technical services.

The hardware purchase consists of a mix of JDAM tail kits and precision laser guidance sensors, which are essential for meeting evolving operational requirements and inventory objectives. A key objective of the JDAM program is to ensure the availability of Strategic Anti-Jam Beamforming Receiver M-Code (SABR-M) guidance kits. These enhanced GPS-denied environment guidance systems are being procured to comply with Section 913 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2011. The SABR-M kits are designed to provide resilience against electronic warfare and jamming threats, thereby supporting the warfighter in contested environments.

The program also seeks cost efficiencies through production lot negotiations, leveraging economies of scale by bundling procurement quantities with the Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Another important aspect of the JDAM line item is the management of production risks associated with Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS), material shortages, and obsolescence. The program allocates funds for studies, bridge buys, life-of-type buys, supplier and parts replacement, and qualification activities. These efforts are intended to preserve future production capabilities and capacities, particularly for electronic components that are commercially used and may be in short supply.

This proactive approach ensures continuity in production and mitigates risks related to supply chain disruptions. The JDAM procurement also includes ancillary equipment, such as airborne test equipment, which supports flight testing and system integration. Sustaining engineering activities are funded to maintain system performance and reliability, while PSC covers both government and contractor support services. The program's support structure is designed to enable ongoing technical upgrades, integration efforts, and responsiveness to changing operational requirements, ensuring the JDAM system remains effective and relevant throughout its lifecycle.

Procurement quantities and unit costs for JDAM kits fluctuate based on negotiated options, pricing curves, and available funding. The program operates under Title 10, U.S. Code Section 2308, which allows for buy-to-budget acquisition strategies to maximize cost efficiencies. The FY 2026 request reflects a reduction in Advisory and Assistance Services to promote government efficiency, in alignment with Executive Order 14222. The program anticipates continued procurement beyond FY 2030, driven by ongoing combat and training expenditures and evolving warfighter needs.