Israel To Purchase Boeing-Built Bomb Kits

The Indy Channel ^ | January 29, 2007 | AP

[Abathar]

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli air force has decided to buy smart munitions kits from the Chicago-based Boeing aerospace company for an estimated $100 million, Israeli defense officials said Monday.

The Jerusalem Post daily said the planned purchase was for the Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, which converts conventional 2,000 pound bombs into satellite-guided, precision weapons.

Defense officials said the acquisition was meant to replenish stores used up in last summer's monthlong war against the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and increase future stock levels.

The Jerusalem Post said the purchase would not require Congressional approval, as it was the exercise of a previously approved purchase option.

[Abathar]

Hmmm, I wonder what they would need all those smart bombs for?.....

[Paleo Conservative]

If it's not Boeing, it's not blowing.

Here's a link to the Boeing JDAM hompage. http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/missiles/jdam/index.htm

.

Here's a link to the video of a JDAM test. http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/missiles/jdam/news/2003/q3/nr_030917o.html

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.

[patton]

That is a LOT of JDAM kits.

[wjcsux]

I pray that they put them to good use.

[Abathar]

I am pretty sure they will, I have a feeling they won't gather much dust.

[ArrogantBustard]

Don't they go for about 20k per kit? I suppose they also have to buy the avionics, too, but 100mil goes a long way, here.

[bert]

..... into satellite-guided, precision weapons.....

What satellites do the guiding? I didn't know the IDF had any satellites.

[Abathar]

Thats the thing about our GPS system, anyone can use it.

Of course we can reset the clocks anytime we want too... ;-)

[patton]

I have no idea what the current cost is, but your ROM is close.

[ArrogantBustard]

I see, reading again, that they're 'replenishing stores' ... so the a/c are already equipped. This is all guidance kits, and I'll bet they're buying more than they used up.

[patton]

If they had used anything close to that many JDAMS, it would sure as heck have lead the news.

[PhilDragoo]

[Paleo Conservative]

Thats the thing about our GPS system, anyone can use it.

Unless you have the military version of a differential GPS, you would be able to get your position with only 10 meter precision. The military versions can get sub meter precision. Differential GPS can get sub centimeter precision for surveying.

[Uriah_lost]

I would tend to agree with your assessment. I'm thinking they've used enough to know that they like the results.

[Grampa Dave]

BOL!

You should make this your tagline:

If it's not Boeing, it's not blowing.

[Right Wing Assault]

I would think Israel could make their own.

[wjcsux]

They are about $15k per kit. They are completely self contained with an on board GPS guidance unit. Boeing has manufactured a good number of them. We (USAF, USN) are converting most of our dumb bombs to JDAM units.

[rmlew]

Hmmm, I wonder what they would need all those smart bombs for?.....
I imagine that a good number of them will be married to BLU-109 / I-2000 / HAVE VOID 2000 lb penetrator. I believe that the F-16I and F-15I can carry two of these.

[TheDon]

It's either that, or millions of one way tickets to America.

[Doctor Don]

Boeing bomb kits bound for Iran?