PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md., 17 March 2011.Smart munitions experts at the Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis are continuing their efforts to supply the U.S. Navy with laser-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions -- better-known as Laser JDAM -- to satisfy the Navy's need for a direct-attack moving target capability weapon.Boeing won an $8 million contract Wednesday from Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., to supply 700 low-rate initial production LASER JDAMs as direct attack moving target capability weapons, as well as first-article testing. Boeing won an $11.4 million Navy contract last year for 23 Laser JDAMs to meet Navy direct-attack moving target capability weapon requirements.The contract awarded Wednesday is Boeing's first major production order for Laser JDAM intended for the Navy's direct-attack moving target capability weapon program. Should the Navy choose to exercise all options, Boeing officials estimate deliveries could reach 11,000 units with a total contract value of more than $91 million.
Laser JDAM already in the Navy's weapons arsenal. Adding direct-attack moving target capability weapons capability to Laser JDAM will improve the smart munition's moving and maneuvering capability beyond current Laser JDAM capability, Boeing officials say.
The new direct-attack moving target capability weapons capability for Laser JDAM will ensure the Navy's ability to either stationary, fast-moving, or maneuvering land targets by combining a precision laser seeker to acquire and track laser-targeted signals and the JDAM guidance tail kit, company officials say.
Boeing will do the work on the new contract in St. Charles, Mo., and should be finished by March 2012. For more information contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security www.boeing.com/bds, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
