Precision Guided JDAM Bomb Enters SDD

Released on Tuesday, October 21, 2003

The US Navy has awarded Boeing a $121 million contract for System Development and Demonstration (SDD) of the Hornet Autonomous Real-time Targeting (HART) system.

The HART has been designed to provide precision guidance capability to current JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bombs. The HART guidance kit includes an infrared sensor, a processor and image-matching software. The JDAM bomb modified with the HART guidance kit will be able to hit targets with the same accuracy as latest laser guided bombs.

The JDAM HART bomb will employ terminal imaging guidance to achieve high accuracy. Target area images will be provided by an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet will accommodate the AN/APG-79 AESA radar in 2006.

The US Navy plans to deploy JDAM HART bombs aboard the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet equipped with the AN/APG-79 AESA radar. These bombs will enable Super Hornets to perform real-time air-to-surface precision engagements.

Boeing will test the JDAM HART concept on Mk-82 bombs through 2006. In late 2006, the US Navy will take a decision about HART kits Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). During LRIP phase Boeing would produce 600 HART kits with expectations for up to 6,000 kits produced through 2011.

The JDAM HART bomb would achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in December 2007.