• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

F-15E Successfully Launches Five Boeing GBU-31 JDAMs on Single Sortie

ST. LOUIS, May 14, 2002 -- U.S. Air Force F-15E has demonstrated its strike capability by launching five Boeing [NYSE: BA] GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAMs, during testing at China Lake, Calif., successfully attacking five separate targets.

The aircraft, launched from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., was from the 416th Flight Test Squadron. The ripple release of the five, 2,000 lb. JDAMs occurred from level flight at 25,000 feet and a speed of 0.80 Mach over the target range. This was the final JDAM guided-release mission for the F-15E Smart Weapons Integration.

The JDAM has been integrated on B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers as well as F/A-18, F-16 and now F-15E aircraft.

Boeing is currently building at its St. Louis facility 10 F-15E aircraft for the Air Force. Those will increase to 236 the total number of E models delivered. The F-15E is the most capable multirole fighter aircraft currently operated. It is capable of carrying more than 23,000 pounds of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons and can fly at twice the speed of sound.

Last month, the Republic of Korea selected the F-15K as its F-X fighter. The F-15K is an advanced derivative of the F-15E that the U.S. Air Force operates. Production of the 40 F-15Ks will augment the 10 F-15Es now in production. The first F-15K will be delivered in 2005; the last F-15K now on order will be delivered in 2008.

Boeing is under contract for more than 50,000 JDAM kits in the GBU-31 (v) 1B/3B (2,000 lb. MK-84 general purpose (GP) / BLU-109 penetrator), GBU-32 (1,000 lb. MK-83), and GBU-35 (1,000 lb. BLU-110 GP) configurations. The GBU-38 (500 lb. MK-82 GP) JDAM is in development and undergoing flight testing. The JDAM line is producing 1,500 JDAM kits per month.

The Boeing Company is the world's largest manufacturer of satellites, commercial jetliners and military aircraft. In terms of sales, Boeing is the largest exporter in the United States. Total company revenues for 2001 were $58 billion.

Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems designs, produces and provides follow-on support for fighters, bombers, transports, rotorcraft and weapons for the United States and its allies around the globe. As the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer, Boeing has delivered more than 130,000 military aircraft to the U.S. government and international customers. Among emerging businesses are unmanned systems, as well as military aircraft that are based on the company's renowned commercial airplanes.

###

02-34

Contact Info:
Robert Algarotti
(314) 233-1532
robert.a.algarotti@boeing.com