The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $75 million contract Wednesday to begin production of the Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range, or GBU-75, a new precision-guided weapon capable of striking targets more than 300 nautical miles away while carrying a 500-pound-class payload.
Boeing previously invested nearly $100 million of its own money into developing the system. The contract allows the company to begin initial production of the payload delivery units for the U.S. Navy.
The new weapon builds on the military’s existing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) by keeping the same guidance system and compatibility with the current aircraft while adding folding wings and a compact turbojet engine.
Because it uses many of the same components and can be carried by aircraft already equipped for standard JDAMs, Boeing says it can be produced in high volume and quickly integrate into the existing fleet.
Boeing Vice President Bob Ciesla called the production contract a major milestone, saying it demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver long-range precision strike capability at a significantly lower cost.
According to Boeing, expanding production of the GBU-75 will give U.S. forces an affordable option for striking long-range and maritime targets.
The system recently completed its first flight test off the coast of California. During the test, it sustained powered flight along a predefined profile, used military-code GPS navigation, and maintained consistent guidance all the way to its target.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth responded to Boeing’s announcement of the contract with a post on X that read “Arsenal of Freedom.” The phrase has become a recurring theme in recent efforts to expand American munitions production and strengthen the defense industrial base.
It appeared earlier this July when the administration announced a $10 billion investment in Pennsylvania that was projected to support more than 4,000 defense industry jobs.
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