The Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition – Long Range (JDAM-LR) is reportedly designated as the GBU-75. It is derived from the Powered JDAM (PJDAM), which was developed from about 2010. The weapon resurfaced in 2020 in response to emerging requirements for a low-cost stand-off weapon.

The JDAM-LR combines the standard JDAM tail kit, the wing kit of the JDAM-ER and a new body with a 200-lb thrust (0.8896 kN)-class Kratos Defense TDI J85 small turbojet engine. The 500 lb (227 kg) Mk 82 warhead is partially enclosed in the new body.

The baseline JDAM features a Global Positioning System/inertial navigation system (GPS/INS), control fins and body strakes for additional stability and lift. It has a glide range of about 15 miles (24 km) when dropped from medium altitude. While the new Ferra Engineering wing kit (derived from Small Diameter Bomb technology) gave the JDAM-ER a range of more than 40 miles (64 km), the addition of a turbojet engine turns the new JDAM-LR into a low-cost, high-precision anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile with a range of more than 300 NM (556 km) – or 700 NM (1,296 km) in decoy configuration, in which a fuel tank replaces the warhead. The JDAM-LR uses the existing aircraft interface and the same in-weapon launch acceptability region (LAR) algorithms as the standard JDAM, facilitating rapid integration.

Quickstrike shallow water mine and Quicksink Maritime Strike variants are likely to be developed.

The JDAM-LR trials involved two test events at the US Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Range. The tests were conducted under the auspices of the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) off the coast of California using Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake’s facilities. The sorties were flown on 1 April 2026, according to photo captions on the DVIDS website, although some reports suggest that the second test was undertaken two days later.

The aircraft involved were an F/A-18E (the squadron’s CAG bird, 166871, modex 200) and an F/A-18F (166635/213) assigned to VX-31 (the ‘Dust Devils’). Each carried a JDAM-LR under its port wing.

The JDAM-LR launches demonstrated successful aircraft integration using existing aircraft interfaces; safe separation; controlled, powered free-flight; and precise navigation over a range of more than 200 NM (370 km), maintaining consistent guidance directly to the target. Boeing said that accuracy “within metres” was demonstrated. The second test saw more altitude changes and manoeuvring by the weapon.

The next phase of qualification will place an emphasis on shipboard integration.

Captain Sarah Abbott, Precision Strike Weapons (PMA-201) programme manager, stated, “As naval air forces in theatre continue to rely heavily on JDAM systems, the programme recognises a critical need to provide the fleet with greater stand-off range. This new capability allows pilots to engage targets from significantly safer distances, maintaining a tactical advantage in contested environments.”

The service has described the new variant as being a game changer and a high-priority strike capability that will meet the evolving demands of modern naval warfare. Shorter ranged than the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) family and not stealthy, the JDAM-LR promises to be about one tenth of the cost, allowing higher-end systems to be held back for higher- priority and more difficult targets.

The JDAM-LR may also have significant export potential, especially for customers for whom JASSM might be too expensive or unavailable as a result of export restrictions driven by operational security concerns or escalatory considerations.