Boeing, Kratos to Develop Bolt-On Kit That Turns ‘Dumb’ Bomb Into Precision Cruise Missile

Boeing and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on developing a transformative kit that will convert a "dumb" 500-lb (228 kg) unguided bomb into a compact precision cruise missile powered by a jet turbine engine.

The term "dumb iron bomb" refers to a conventional unguided bomb that relies solely on its ballistic characteristics for accuracy. Unlike guided bombs, which have sophisticated guidance systems that allow them to be precisely directed toward a target, dumb bombs are dropped from an aircraft and follow a predictable ballistic trajectory until they hit the ground.

Boeing and Kratos Partnership

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a technology-focused entity specializing in Defense, National Security, and Global Markets, announced this pivotal step in partnership with Boeing.

Technical Directions, Inc. (TDI), a division within Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, will be instrumental in providing the TDI-J85 turbine engine to propel the Powered Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).

The Powered JDAM initiative by Boeing integrates a 500-pound ordnance, the conventional JDAM guidance kit, along with a wing kit and the Kratos TDI-J85 engine.

This combination results in an extended operational range, ensuring a cost-effective solution. The project's financial viability is bolstered by the cost-efficient turbine engine technology developed and perfected by TDI in a span of four decades.

The Powered JDAM system is poised to offer a budget-friendly standoff capability against both land-based and maritime threats.

Utilizing the well-established JDAM weapons infrastructure, it is engineered for extensive manufacturing, and it can be supplied to any of the 35 partner nations associated with JDAM.

Joseph Kovasity, Senior Vice President for TDI, expressed pride in Boeing's selection of the TDI-J85 engine for the Powered JDAM system.

He highlighted the substantial investment made by Kratos TDI in manufacturing processes, emphasizing the efficient production of small-scale, economical military-grade turbine engines in the United States, with a strong reliance on domestic suppliers and collaborators.

The acquisition of TDI by Kratos has reinforced this commitment to scalability, resulting in an exceptional engine performance-to-cost ratio, enabling the envisaged large-scale production demands of the Powered JDAM program, according to Kovasity.

'Next Step in the Modular Evolution'

"Powered JDAM is the next step in the modular evolution of the JDAM and JDAM Extended Range family of weapons systems. Its ability to complement exquisite weapons system with low-cost standoff capability will add new weapons capacity to the U.S. defense industrial base to support the current fight and deter future fights," said Bob Ciesla, Vice President of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems.

The TDI-J85 engine boasts a straightforward architecture, capable of generating 200 lbf (pound-force) of net thrust under Sea-Level Static conditions.

Specific requirements for the Powered JDAM are met through tailored design adjustments to achieve the desired thrust output. The TDI-J85 engine is designed to operate with both commercial and military-grade kerosene turbine fuels.

Notably, according to Kratos, the engine's shaft-integral permanent magnet generator can produce up to 1.5 kW of AC power, ensuring sufficient onboard power throughout varying engine speeds, from idle to maximum.