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 02/05/2026 at 14:27

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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.

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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

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

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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

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