The USA tests "superbomb" with a range of 550 km to protect fighters and pilots.

The USA tests “superbomb” with a range of 550 km to protect fighters and pilots.

Written by Ruth Rodrigues

Published on 22/04/2026 at 12:10

Updated on 22/04/2026 at 12:11

Seja o primeiro a reagir!

The US military successfully tested the JDAM bomb with a jet engine. Understand how the new range of 550 km changes the long-range attack strategy.

The landscape of modern conflicts, marked by the intensive use of guided munitions, has just gained a new technological protagonist. In recent tests completed by the US Navy and Boeing, the new version of the JDAM bomb with a jet engine (JDAM-LR) proved capable of hitting targets over 550 km away.

The success of the trials at Point Mugu, California, comes at a critical moment: in recent operations against Iran, the United States and Israel employed over 350 JDAM bombs in 36 hours, reinforcing the urgency for weapons that combine long range and economic viability.

The major strategic advantage of this innovation is the so-called standoff capability. By allowing a fighter to launch munitions hundreds of kilometers from the target, the US ensures that its aircraft operate outside the range of enemy surface-to-air missiles.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

The bomb that turned into a missile

One of the pillars of the project is to transform the JDAM bomb with a jet engine into a cost-effective alternative to traditional cruise missiles.

While dedicated missiles have extremely high costs and complex logistics, the new variant — designated as GBU-75 — leverages the existing infrastructure of JDAM bombs, which are widely used by air and naval forces around the world.

This hybridization offers clear benefits for the US arsenal:

Simplified Logistics: Utilizes platforms and software already compatible with the JDAM family.

Reduced Cost: Avoids the need for integration of entirely new and expensive munitions.

Production at Scale: Relies on components already manufactured on a large scale.

Superior Range: Jumps from 24 km (conventional model) or 72 km (ER model) to over 580 km.

Therefore, the new kit allows for sustainable and deep strikes without exhausting the military budget with luxury munitions.

Performance in tests and propulsion technology

During the evaluations in early April 2026, F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters conducted launches that validated the concept. In the first test, the JDAM bomb with a jet engine traveled 370 km in powered flight, maintaining stability for 34 minutes until precise impact.

The U.S. military successfully tested the JDAM bomb with a jet engine. Understand how the new range of 550 km changes long-range attack strategy. Photo: U.S. Navy

In the second test, the weapon was subjected to more aggressive maneuvers and altitude changes, confirming the robustness of the terminal guidance system and the engine. The technological heart of this evolution is the TDI-J85 engine, developed by Kratos Defense.

Weighing only 13 kg and providing a thrust of 200 pounds, this micro propulsor is responsible for elevating the GBU-75 (derived from the 230 kg bomb) to a new level of performance. This propulsion allows the device to not only rely on gravity but to execute a level cruise flight, correcting its trajectory via GPS until final impact.

Naval integration and operational future

With the separation and powered flight phase successfully completed, Boeing and the U.S. Navy are now focusing on the full integration of the JDAM-LR into naval platforms. The data collected at Point Mugu will be used to finalize hardware adjustments and refine the flight software.

The goal is for the system to be ready for operational exercises soon, providing a new layer of defense and attack for the fleet. Thus, the arrival of the JDAM-LR bomb with a jet engine redefines the balance of power in the air.

Source: TecnoDefesa

0 Comentários

Mais recente

Mais antigos Mais votado

Feedbacks

Visualizar todos comentários

The USA tests “superbomb” with a range of 550 km to protect fighters and pilots.

The US military successfully tested the JDAM bomb with a jet engine. Understand how the new range of 550 km changes the long-range attack strategy.

The bomb that turned into a missile

Performance in tests and propulsion technology

Naval integration and operational future

While in Brazil a 10-story building takes 2 years to complete, in China a company stacks pre-fabricated modules and raises the entire building in just 28 hours and 45 minutes.

Egypt wants to draw 10 million cubic meters of water from the Nile per day into the desert, irrigate a new agricultural frontier, and build a city where there is currently only sand.

BRICS is preparing a payment system inspired by the Brazilian PIX that will allow direct transactions between countries using national digital currencies without relying on the dollar or Western banks as intermediaries.

Ethiopia has banned gasoline and diesel cars, placed over a hundred silent electric buses on the streets of Addis Ababa, and now aims for half a million electric vehicles by 2030, all powered by Africa’s largest dam and a courage that few countries have shown.

In the South Atlantic, three isolated volcanic islands cause the wind to draw perfect spirals visible from space: a rare phenomenon called von Kármán vortex streets forms symmetrical patterns behind the peaks of the South Sandwich Islands and was recorded by the NOAA-20 satellite in 2025.

Created to cling to ships like a lamprey, the new U.S. underwater drone sleeps on the ocean floor, launches torpedoes, and recharges itself with the current.

Solar-powered ice factory in the Amazon that eliminated a 5-hour trip to Manaus, prevents the loss of up to two-thirds of the fish, and now ensures income for more than 30 riverside families.

Brazil becomes the darling of foreigners in 2026 with billions entering the stock market, but South Korea surges over 55% and takes the global lead among emerging markets.

The 130-meter stone that was hidden under ice and fooled satellites: scientists discover a new island in Antarctica in an area previously marked as a “danger zone.”

FAO calls on the world to prepare because up to 75 billion tons of fertile soil may disappear while the foundation of 95% of the planet’s food silently degrades and threatens global agricultural production.

At nearly 8,000 meters deep, scientists discover a tiny white predator in the Atacama Trench, the first active hunting amphipod of this size found in one of the most extreme regions on Earth.

World-renowned actor transforms 500,000 m² ranch into a sanctuary for bees, plants lavender and clover, installs 26 beehives, and adapts area in Mississippi.

The USA tests “superbomb” with a range of 550 km to protect fighters and pilots.

The US military successfully tested the JDAM bomb with a jet engine. Understand how the new range of 550 km changes the long-range attack strategy.

The bomb that turned into a missile

Performance in tests and propulsion technology

Naval integration and operational future

While in Brazil a 10-story building takes 2 years to complete, in China a company stacks pre-fabricated modules and raises the entire building in just 28 hours and 45 minutes.

Egypt wants to draw 10 million cubic meters of water from the Nile per day into the desert, irrigate a new agricultural frontier, and build a city where there is currently only sand.

BRICS is preparing a payment system inspired by the Brazilian PIX that will allow direct transactions between countries using national digital currencies without relying on the dollar or Western banks as intermediaries.

Ethiopia has banned gasoline and diesel cars, placed over a hundred silent electric buses on the streets of Addis Ababa, and now aims for half a million electric vehicles by 2030, all powered by Africa’s largest dam and a courage that few countries have shown.

In the South Atlantic, three isolated volcanic islands cause the wind to draw perfect spirals visible from space: a rare phenomenon called von Kármán vortex streets forms symmetrical patterns behind the peaks of the South Sandwich Islands and was recorded by the NOAA-20 satellite in 2025.

Created to cling to ships like a lamprey, the new U.S. underwater drone sleeps on the ocean floor, launches torpedoes, and recharges itself with the current.

Solar-powered ice factory in the Amazon that eliminated a 5-hour trip to Manaus, prevents the loss of up to two-thirds of the fish, and now ensures income for more than 30 riverside families.

Brazil doubles naval fleet: President Lula confirms purchase of 4 more Tamandaré frigates to expand the Brazilian fleet.

It seems like something out of a movie: this “airborne war tank” can locate 128 targets at the same time, fires a 30 mm cannon against armored vehicles and enemy positions, and also controls drones while flying; meet the Apache Guardian helicopter.

The Pentagon has confirmed that the A-10 Warthog attack aircraft will not be retired now and will continue to operate until 2030.

39 thousand tons, 19 thousand m³ of fuel, and 1,300 m³ of fresh water cross oceans without relying on ports: the Tide class ships become mobile bases for the Royal Navy to keep aircraft carriers, frigates, and entire fleets in continuous operation around the world.

Japan bets on the Upgraded Mogami frigates of up to 6,200 tons, 142 meters in length, over 30 knots in speed, and 32 launch cells in an investment of up to $900 million to redefine naval power in the Indo-Pacific.

Brazil becomes the darling of foreigners in 2026 with billions entering the stock market, but South Korea surges over 55% and takes the global lead among emerging markets.

The 130-meter stone that was hidden under ice and fooled satellites: scientists discover a new island in Antarctica in an area previously marked as a “danger zone.”

FAO calls on the world to prepare because up to 75 billion tons of fertile soil may disappear while the foundation of 95% of the planet’s food silently degrades and threatens global agricultural production.

At nearly 8,000 meters deep, scientists discover a tiny white predator in the Atacama Trench, the first active hunting amphipod of this size found in one of the most extreme regions on Earth.

World-renowned actor transforms 500,000 m² ranch into a sanctuary for bees, plants lavender and clover, installs 26 beehives, and adapts area in Mississippi.