Boeing Shows Off JDAM LR Anti-Ship, Mining Bomber Payloads
•February 11, 2026
0
Why It Matters
JDAM LR gives the U.S. Air Force a mass‑produced, long‑range strike and mine‑laying tool that can shape maritime contests in the Indo‑Pacific, while keeping costs and procurement timelines low.
Key Takeaways
- •JDAM LR reaches 300 nautical miles, decoy 700 nm
- •B‑52 can carry up to 20 JDAM LRs simultaneously
- •B‑1 can field up to 30 JDAM LRs in one sortie
- •Anti‑ship and Quickstrike mine variants expand maritime strike options
- •Affordable conversion kit enables rapid, large‑scale production
Pulse Analysis
Boeing’s JDAM LR builds on the proven Joint Direct Attack Munition family, adding a compact propulsion module and fuel tank to the ubiquitous Mk‑82 bomb. The result is a low‑cost, long‑range cruise missile capable of delivering a 500‑pound warhead or a Quickstrike mine at distances up to 300 nautical miles, with a decoy variant stretching to 700 nautical miles. Integration onto legacy platforms such as the B‑52H and B‑1B demonstrates the system’s flexibility, allowing each bomber to loft dozens of weapons in a single sortie, comparable to larger air‑launched cruise missiles.
The strategic value of JDAM LR lies in its ability to conduct standoff maritime strike and sea‑denial missions far beyond the reach of most surface‑to‑air defenses. By enabling B‑52s and B‑1s to disperse mines across chokepoints in the first island chain, the United States can impose a credible threat to hostile naval movements without committing carrier‑based assets. This capability aligns with U.S. Indo‑Pacific priorities, offering a rapid, scalable response to potential flashpoints around Taiwan and contested sea lanes, while also providing a cost‑effective alternative to more expensive cruise missiles.
From an industrial perspective, JDAM LR’s reliance on existing bomb stocks and a simple conversion kit accelerates production and reduces supply‑chain strain, a critical factor as defense budgets grapple with heightened demand for long‑range precision munitions. The affordable price point and high sortie rate potential make it attractive not only for the U.S. but also for allied air forces seeking to augment their strike portfolios. As geopolitical tensions drive a surge in demand for versatile, long‑range weapons, JDAM LR positions Boeing to capture a growing segment of the precision‑strike market.
Boeing Shows off JDAM LR Anti-Ship, Mining Bomber Payloads
SAN DIEGO — Boeing highlighted the anti-ship and mining payloads of its upcoming Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM LR) aboard U.S. B-52H and B-1B strategic bombers.
Derived from the company’s widespread guided-bomb kit, the JDAM LR will be able to strike targets or deliver minefields out to 300 nautical miles, effectively converting the Mark 82 warhead into a long-range cruise missile. The variant was previously known as the Powered JDAM in 2023, with Boeing updating its information pamphlet to the new designation this year and at WEST 2026.
Maritime strike, Quickstrike aerial-launched mines and baseline strike variants are planned. A decoy variant without the warhead extends the range to 700 nautical miles. The inclusion of the fuel tank, engine and spaces for optional attachments has greatly increased the length of JDAM LR.
While specifications, ranges and variants of JDAM LR remain as previously listed, the company revealed the large payloads of anti-ship and mining munitions that can be deployed via American strategic bombers. A video highlighting the system’s integration onto legacy platforms showcased up to 20 JDAM LRs being deployed by a B-52, with eight via the conventional rotary launcher and 12 mounted on external pylons. The B-1 concept was also shown to be carrying up to 30 munitions via three conventional rotary launchers and external pylons. These payloads configurations are similar to those used by larger air-launched cruise missiles, such as the AGM-86 and AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.
Implications for Long-Range Offensive Mining Capabilities
JDAM LR concept. Boeing photo
A Boeing fact sheet highlighted the affordable mass that can be achieved with the upcoming munition due to its design being based upon cheap dumb bombs and a conversion kit, which could prove crucial in a conflict in the Indo-Pacific. While Washington has made efforts to step up the production of long-range precision strike munitions via its defense industrial base, concerns over Taiwan and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East has increased the need for production at speed and scale.
Aside from maritime strike, the development of the Quickstrike variant follows continued U.S. efforts to develop conventional bombs as conventional mines for sea denial missions. However, compared to existing non-powered Quickstrike and aerial mine deployment ranges of a few dozen kilometers, the JDAM LR can enable American platforms to deploy mines at scale well outside of enemy surface-to-air missile range.
300 nautical mile standoff mine-laying capabilities from U.S. aircraft operating from aircraft carriers, regional airfields or even continental American bases have the potential to lay large minefields at key maritime areas across the Indo-Pacific. This mine-laying capability could help deny or disrupt certain chokepoints across the first island chain or amphibious assault operations.
The post Boeing Shows off JDAM LR Anti-Ship, Mining Bomber Payloads appeared first on Naval News.
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...