GBU-31 JDAM

Development of an adverse weather precision-guided munition began in 1992 following the Persian Gulf War, where existing laser-guided systems were hindered by dust, smoke, and cloud cover. Testing to demonstrate the feasibility of a satellite-guided weapon occurred in 1993, utilizing an inertial navigation system (INS) coupled with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. The program aimed to provide a precision capability for the B-2 Spirit, which lacked a laser designator. Operational testing was conducted between 1998 and 1999.

The GBU-31 is a guidance kit that converts unguided gravity bombs into all-weather precision-guided munitions. The system consists of a tail section with aerodynamic control surfaces, a body strake kit, and a combined INS and GPS guidance control unit. It is not a standalone weapon but a "bolt-on" package for existing ordnance. The GBU-31 variant is utilized with heavyweight warheads, including the Mark 84 general-purpose bomb and the BLU-109 penetrator. Guidance is autonomous; once released, the munition navigates to target coordinates loaded by the aircrew or via onboard targeting equipment. The system operates in a GPS-aided mode or an inertial-only mode if the satellite signal is lost or jammed. Upgrades include laser seekers for engaging moving targets, wing kits for extended standoff range, and home-on-jam seekers designed to track electronic warfare sources. Specialized naval versions, such as the Quickstrike-J, allow for the precision placement of aerial mines.

The GBU-31 made its combat debut in 1999 during Operation Allied Force, where B-2 Spirit aircraft delivered several hundred units. The system has been deployed in conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine. In December 2001, a coordinate error following a GPS receiver battery change resulted in a friendly fire incident near Sayd Alim Kalay, Afghanistan. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the system encountered GPS signal disruption from electronic warfare units such as the R-330Zh Zhitel. In 2024, the munition was employed in strikes against targets in Tetkino and Beirut.

The system is widely deployed and forms a core component of the strike capabilities for the United States Air Force and Navy. It has been exported to numerous countries, including Australia, Israel, Germany, South Korea, Italy, and several other NATO and non-NATO partners. Integration has been completed on a variety of platforms, including the F-15E, F-16, F/A-18, A-10, B-1B, B-52H, and F-35, as well as modified Soviet-era aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Su-27.