The US State Department has approved Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) for the UK and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) for South Korea in two separate foreign military sales.
London’s requested package, worth approximately $160 million, covers 28 installed systems and 8 spares of Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies; 10 installed and 8 spares of AN/AAQ-24 (V)N LAIRCM system processor replacements; and related logistics and program support.
Meanwhile, Seoul’s $106-million request is for 708 KMU-557 JDAM tail kits and 58 KMU-572 JDAM guidance sets, as well as related technical and logistics support.
Boeing is the designated principal contractor for both sales.
Missile Protection
The LAIRCM provides modern protection for large air mobility platforms, as the system detects and beams a high-intensity laser to blind or disrupt an incoming shoulder-fired, vehicle-launched, or other missiles’ heat-seeking guidance systems, causing them to miss the targeted aircraft.
While the aircraft type involved was not specified in the notice, it is likely to be the Royal Air Force’s Boeing-made C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft, as per MILMAG.
The approved foreign military sale for the UK follows a similar $13.1-million Pentagon contract awarded to Boeing in February to upgrade the infrared countermeasures of C-17 aircraft in service with Canada and Australia.
‘Dumb’ to ‘Smart’ Bombs
For South Korea, Boeing’s JDAM guidance kits are intended to expand the country’s critical air defense capability and ensure interoperability with US forces.
JDAM kits turn “dumb” or unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions that can operate in all weather conditions, with the extended range variant capable of striking fixed and hardened targets up to 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers/46 miles) away.
In 2024, a Boeing-made B-1B strategic bomber operated by US forces dropped a JDAM over the Korean Peninsula as part of a precision bombing drill conducted with South Korean forces.
