Weapons System – Global Conflict Reporting

On April 20th 2026, the U.S. Naval air systems command (NAVAIR) released a video showing the test fire of a new derivative of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) precision-guided weapon.

*JDAM-LR shown after being deployed from a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet*.

The video shows a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet firing off what is being called the GBU-76 JDAM-LR (Long Range); it is a rocket-powered version of the weapon that can be used to attack targets on land or sea. With a range of 300 nautical miles, this version gives a significantly longer range then even the unpowered JDAM-ER (Extended Range) series.

The weapons were tested in early April, being fired from both an F/A-18E and F/A-18F flying out of China Lake Naval Weapons Station, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 VX-31 “Dust Devils,”. The fighters flew to Point Mugu, on the coast of California. On the first test, Boeing says the weapons demonstrated safe separation, engine start, cruise and guidance through terminal flight and impact in water after a 34-minute flight.Boeing reported that the weapon flew for 200nm and landed within meters of its planned target. The next test was done on April 3rd, and the weapon flew a second planned flight profile, “..successfully incorporating altitude changes and weapon maneuvering during an otherwise similar flight.”

A New Era for Precision Strike: JDAM LR Completes Milestone Test Flights

The U.S. Navy has successfully demonstrated the new JDAM Long Range variant, marking a huge step in bringing affordable, long-range standoff capabilities to the Carrier Air Wing.https://t.co/GvMomaPnSp pic.twitter.com/cNgEgnZGXy
— NAVAIR (@NAVAIRNews) April 20, 2026

Video taken during the test was released in a NAVAIR post on social media.

“First flight is a critical step in capturing the JDAM Long Range franchise program. This weapon brings the cruise missile concept to the JDAM family at a lower cost, enabling large production quantities.”

Bob Ciesla, Precision Engagement Systems vice president

This weapon provides the navy with a low-cost, precision standoff weapon with a striking distance of 300nm. A range like this lowers the risk to the platforms launching them and increases their strike options.

Some of the things they hope to achieve with this weapon is-

Integrate onto any aircraft that already carries traditional JDAMs, both external and in internal weapon bays. That includes U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy fighters and bombers, and many global allies ― more than 15 platforms and 3,500 aircraft.

Support conventional direct attack, maritime strike and aerial-mining missions, adding key components to the proven JDAM system:
- TDI-J85 turbine engine from Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), incorporating modular, compact air-breathing propulsion technology into the JDAM family.
- Wing kits from Ferra Engineering in Brisbane, Australia, as a continuation of the Australian Defence Force’s Global Supply Chain Program.

Brief History

The JDAM family of weapons has been used extensively since its inception in 1998. First seeing combat in the NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999 to great success, being dropped in the first night of operation Allied Force by two B-2 spirit bombers out of Whiteman Air Force Base each dropped 16 JDAM’s (mostly the GBU-31 2,000 lb variant), striking fixed Serb targets. Over the next 76 days the U.S. B-2 bombers dropped more than 600 JDAM’s, achieving high reliability and accuracy against hardened targets in all weather conditions.

“The success of JDAM LR is built on decades of the JDAM system and the maturation, investment, and work of the team to make that system robust and available.”

Ernie Moretti, Joint Direct Attack Munition director

The JDAM’s massive success during Operation Allied Force led to the weapon being deployed heavily in every conflict since then. The JDAM could deliver GPS/INS precision without laser designation or visual acquisition of the target.

The simplicity of the JDAM is what has led to much of its success. It’s fairly cheap to build the components needed to turn a regular gravity bomb into a precision tool. Over the years the system has received several upgrades, like laser sensors for advanced tracking of moving targets (LJDAM) and an extended-range wing kit (JDAM ER) that expands a standard JDAM’s range to more than 40 nautical miles. Boeing notes in their press release that the JDAM-LR will be able to gain additional functionality over time through modifications for different uses.