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Norway signs contract for JDAM

February 20, 2006 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Boeing Company will provide the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) weapon system to the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) under an agreement recently reached with Norway.

Maj. Don Sheesley, 416th Flight Test Squadron project pilot, releases for the first time ever a 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition. In support of real-world operations, testers from the Global Power Fighters Combined Test Force here performed accelerated testing to equip the F-16 with a 500-pound JDAM, or GBU-38, that was completed July 16. [Photo by Jim Shryne ]

The JDAM system will equip RNoAF F-16 aircraft with all-weather, autonomous, accurate delivery of bombs against a broad spectrum of targets. The contract includes JDAM guidance kits, F-16 weapon system integration and operational support.

"Our focus remains on incorporating technology into the latest JDAM model while reducing costs and continuing development of future enhancements," said Rick Heerdt, JDAM program manager for Boeing.

Norway is the fifth member of the European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) to select JDAM, resulting in a common weapon system across EPAF member nations. This JDAM contract also brings to 14 the number of international customers for this weapon system.

A GPS-aided, near-precision weapon, JDAM guidance kits are capable of guiding inventory warheads ranging in size from 500 to 2,000 pounds. JDAM has been used extensively in global operations by the U.S. Air Force and Navy.

Since 1998, Boeing has produced more than 140,000 JDAM guidance kits for the U.S. and 14 international customers.