The Canadian government has received US approval for the purchase of hundreds of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits.
According to a foreign military sale announcement, Ottawa has requested 690 KMU-572, 75 KMU-556, and 25 KMU-557 JDAM tail kits from Boeing.
It also wanted laser illuminated target detectors, FMU-139 fuses, weapons support equipment, and associated spare and repair parts.
The total value of the sale is $96.4 million.
Previously, Canada also ordered 285 US-made JDAM tail kits in various configurations.
JDAM Tail Kits
Tail kits are used to convert unguided, free-fall bombs into precise, all-weather guided munitions to increase the effectiveness of aerial operations.
The KMU-572 variant is for medium-sized bombs, such as the Mk-82. It enables the bombs to receive GPS signals and accurately navigate toward their targets.
For larger bombs such as the Mk-84, the KMU-556 configuration is integrated. This provides greater impact for destroying more robust structures.
Meanwhile, KMU-557s are for converting bunker-buster bombs into “smart” munitions to help penetrate reinforced defenses before detonating.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the sale of JDAM kits to Ottawa will improve its capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its stockpiles of guided munitions.
“Canada already has the JDAM in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces,” the DSCA noted.
