In May 2024, the U.S. Air Force announced that it was purchasing additional seekers for its Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM-ER) bomb to improve its ability to counter Russian GPS signal jammers. The $23.6 million contract was awarded to the California-based Scientific Applications and Research Association (SARA) for the delivery and integration of the "Home-on GPS Jam" seeker, with delivery scheduled to be completed in October 2025.
Background: Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM-ER)
JDAM-ER is a system that transforms air-dropped bombs into precision-guided weapons. Boeing's precision guidance kit has been in service in Ukraine since May 2023, equipping the Ukrainian Air Force's MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters. Equipped with JDAM-ER, these aircraft can effectively strike ground targets, although they have encountered some challenges in the face of Russian electronic jammer blocking.
Russia's GPS Jammer Capabilities
U.S. officials said that Russian GPS signal jammer blockers have seriously affected the JDAM-ER's aiming process, causing these precision-guided weapons to fail to accurately hit their targets. Former CIA official Mick Mulroy pointed out that Russia's jamming measures may be one of the reasons why these munitions did not work as expected. This situation has been verified in multiple theaters of war and has aroused great concern from the U.S. military.
HOJ Cost-effectiveness and technological advantages
- Anti interference capability: The HOJ seeker is designed to enhance the anti-interference capability of JDAM-ER in complex electronic warfare environments, ensuring high-precision guidance.
- Automatic locking of interference source: This system can lock and track enemy interference signals, use them as guidance targets, and achieve precise strikes.
- Active GPS interference processing: Through the Active GPS Interference (HOJ) sub system, effectively identify and process enemy interference signals on the battlefield, and improve the survivability of missiles in electronic warfare.
- Cost effectiveness: The new generation HOJ seeker uses solid-state components, with production costs only one tenth of the previous generation system, combining high cost-effectiveness and efficient combat performance.
- Rapid integration and deployment: Based on a universal ammunition interface, the HOJ seeker can be quickly and cost effectively integrated into existing systems, significantly improving combat efficiency and ensuring tactical advantage in complex battlefield environments.
As the war situation continues to change, the US military is particularly eager to improve the electronic warfare capabilities of weapon systems. By strengthening the anti-interference capabilities of JDAM-ER, the United States hopes to ensure the effectiveness of its precision-guided weapons in countering Russian interference. This measure is not only a response to the current combat environment, but also a preparation for possible future military conflicts.
In general, the US Air Force's enhanced procurement of JDAM-ER seekers reflects its emphasis on electronic warfare capabilities in modern warfare. This strategic adjustment will not only enhance combat capabilities in Ukraine, but also lay a solid foundation for future military operations.
