Editing Joint Direct Attack Munition (section)

===Upgrades===
[[File:US Navy 020227-N-2722F-030 USS Stennis - JDAM.jpg|thumb|A DSU-33 Airburst sensor (right)]]

Experience during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom led US air power planners to seek additional capabilities in one package, resulting in ongoing program upgrades to place a precision terminal guidance seeker in the JDAM kit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dual Mode Guided Bomb |url=http://www.deagel.com/Bombs-and-Guidance-Kits/DMGB_a000937001.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173954/http://www.deagel.com/Bombs-and-Guidance-Kits/DMGB_a000937001.aspx |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=5 October 2010 |website=deagel.com}}</ref> The Laser JDAM (LJDAM), as this upgrade is known, adds a [[laser seeker]] to the nose of a JDAM-equipped bomb, enabling it to engage moving targets. The laser seeker is a cooperative development between Boeing's Defense, Space and Security unit and Israel's [[Elbit Systems]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Opall-Rome |first=Barbara |date=3 May 2010 |title=U.S. Backs Israeli Munitions Upgrades |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20100503/DEFFEAT04/5030325/U-S-Backs-Israeli-Munitions-Upgrades |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729074626/http://www.defensenews.com/story.php |archive-date=29 July 2012 |website=Defense News}}</ref>

It is called the Precision Laser Guidance Set (PLGS) by Boeing and consists of the laser seeker itself, now known as DSU-38/B, and a wire harness fixed under the bomb body to connect the DSU-38/B with the tail kit. During FY2004, Boeing and the U.S. Air Force began testing of the [[laser guidance]] capability for JDAM, with these tests demonstrating that the system is capable of targeting and destroying moving targets.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 July 2006 |title=Boeing Scores Direct Hit in Laser JDAM Moving Target Test |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q3/060711a_nr.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524151544/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q3/060711a_nr.html |archive-date=24 May 2011 |access-date=5 May 2010 |website=Boeing}}</ref> This dual guidance system retains the ability to operate on GPS/INS alone, if laser guidance is unavailable, with the same accuracy of the earlier JDAM.

[[File:USMC-120517-M-YE622-006.jpg|thumb|upright|A GBU-54 laser seeker]]

In June 2007, Boeing announced that it had been awarded a $28 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to deliver 600 laser seekers (400 to the Air Force and 200 to the Navy) by June 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 June 2007 |title=Boeing Awarded Laser JDAM Contract |url=http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/missiles/jdam/news/2007/q2/070611c_nr.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117044459/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/missiles/jdam/news/2007/q2/070611c_nr.html |archive-date=17 November 2007 |access-date=5 October 2010 |website=Boeing}}</ref> According to the Boeing Corporation, in tests at [[Nellis Air Force Base]], [[Nevada]], Air Force [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]s and [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagles]] dropped twelve {{cvt|500|lb|kg}} LJDAMs that successfully struck high-speed moving targets. Using onboard targeting equipment, the launch aircraft self-designated, and self-guided their bombs to impact on the targets. In addition to the LJDAM kits, Boeing is also testing under a Navy development contract, an anti-jamming system for the JDAM, with development expected to be completed during 2007, with deliveries to commence in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2007 |title=Boeing Completes JDAM Anti-Jamming Developmental Flight Test Program |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2007-06-18-Boeing-Completes-JDAM-Anti-Jamming-Developmental-Flight-Test-Program |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927150835/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2007-06-18-Boeing-Completes-JDAM-Anti-Jamming-Developmental-Flight-Test-Program |archive-date=27 September 2023 |access-date=5 October 2010 |website=Boeing}}</ref> The system is known as the Integrated GPS Anti-Jam System (IGAS).

In July 2008 Germany signed a contract with Boeing to become the first international customer of LJDAM. Deliveries for the [[German Air Force]] began in mid-2009. The order also includes the option for further kits in 2009.<ref name="ljdam germany">{{Cite web |date=24 July 2008 |title=Boeing Laser JDAM Achieves 1st International Sale |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2008-07-24-Boeing-Laser-JDAM-Achieves-1st-International-Sale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217000527/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2008-07-24-Boeing-Laser-JDAM-Achieves-1st-International-Sale |archive-date=17 February 2015 |website=Boeing}}</ref>

Boeing announced in September 2008 that it had conducted demonstration flights with the LJDAM loaded aboard a [[Boeing B-52|B-52H]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 2008 |title=Boeing Laser JDAM Demonstrated on B-52H for 1st Time |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080915c_pr.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009063131/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080915c_pr.html |archive-date=9 October 2012 |website=Boeing}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kessler |first=Carrie L. |date=24 July 2008 |title=49 TES demonstrates LJDAM for first time |url=https://www.53rdwing.af.mil/News/Article/329622/49-tes-demonstrates-ljdam-for-first-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110201915/https://www.53rdwing.af.mil/News/Article/329622/49-tes-demonstrates-ljdam-for-first-time/ |archive-date=10 January 2024 |website=U.S. Air Force 53rd Wing}}</ref>

The GBU-54 LJDAM made its combat debut in August 2008 in Iraq when an F-16 from the [[77th Fighter Squadron]] engaged a moving vehicle in Diyala province.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 August 2008 |title=Air Force employs first combat use of laser joint direct attack munition in Iraq |url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/221537/air-force-employs-first-combat-use-of-laser-joint-direct-attack-munition-in-iraq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110203413/https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/221537/air-force-employs-first-combat-use-of-laser-joint-direct-attack-munition-in-iraq/ |archive-date=10 January 2024 |access-date=27 March 2012 |work=U.S. Air Forces Central}}</ref> The GBU-54 LJDAM made its combat debut in the Afghan theater by the [[510th Fighter Squadron]] in October 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nystrom |first=Tech. Sgt. Drew |date=1 October 2010 |title=Vultures make impact with first GBU-54 combat drop in Afghanistan |url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/220004/vultures-make-impact-with-first-gbu-54-combat-drop-in-afghanistan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110203905/https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/220004/vultures-make-impact-with-first-gbu-54-combat-drop-in-afghanistan/ |archive-date=10 January 2024 |access-date=22 June 2015 |work=U.S. Air Forces Central}}</ref>

In September 2012, Boeing began full-rate production of Laser JDAM for US Navy and received a contract for more than 2,300 bomb kits.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2012 |title=Boeing Begins Full-Rate Production of Laser JDAM for US Navy |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2012-09-25-Boeing-Begins-Full-Rate-Production-of-Laser-JDAM-for-US-Navy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128200504/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2012-09-25-Boeing-Begins-Full-Rate-Production-of-Laser-JDAM-for-US-Navy |archive-date=28 January 2022 |access-date=10 January 2024 |website=Boeing}}</ref>

In November 2014, the U.S. Air Force began development of a version of the GBU-31 JDAM intended to track and attack sources of electronic warfare (EW) jamming directed to disrupt the munitions' guidance. The [[home-on-jam|Home-on-Jam]] seeker works similar to the [[AGM-88 HARM]] to follow the source of a radio-frequency jammer to destroy it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=John |date=13 November 2014 |title=Air Force to enable smart weapons to track and kill sources of EW jamming |url=https://www.militaryaerospace.com/rf-analog/article/16718805/air-force-to-enable-smart-weapons-to-track-and-kill-sources-of-electronic-warfare-ew-jamming |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108222848/https://www.militaryaerospace.com/rf-analog/article/16718805/air-force-to-enable-smart-weapons-to-track-and-kill-sources-of-electronic-warfare-ew-jamming |archive-date=8 January 2024 |website=Military Aerospace}}</ref>