Defense Post
March 8, 2023

US-Delivered Air-Launched JDAM Smart Bombs Operational in Ukraine

The US has delivered Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) precision-guided bombs to Ukraine. The weapon is capable of hitting targets 45 miles (72 kilometers) away.

Chief of US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), Gen. James Hecker, revealed that the delivery took place three weeks ago.

“Recently, we’ve just gotten some precision munitions [to Ukraine] that had some extended range and go a little bit further than the gravity drop bomb and has precision [guidance],” The War Zone quoted Hecker as saying at a symposium.

“That’s a recent capability that we were able to give them probably in the last three weeks.”

The Pentagon announced sending the “precision aerial munitions” to Ukraine as part of a $1.85-billion package announced on December 21.

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The JDAM warhead is also much heavier than the HIMARS-launched Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System warhead at 200 pounds (91 kilograms).