Boeing and Ferra Unite to Revolutionize Precision Aerial Munitions

Boeing and its Australian industrial collaborator Ferra Engineering have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding to sustain the fabrication of Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM ER) wing kits. This agreement also encompasses the objective to investigate applications for Powered JDAM — a long-range, cost-effective, and mass-manufacturable variant of JDAM capable of covering distances exceeding 300 nautical miles.

Based in Brisbane, Ferra serves as Boeing’s global source for the 500-pound JDAM ER wing kits. Under this memorandum, the collaboration is set to continue until 2028. This alliance is in accordance with the Australian Defence Force’s dedication to enhance indigenous weaponry capabilities within the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, and aligns with the AUKUS security collaboration aim of fostering trilateral defence competencies.

“These wing kits, crafted by Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and manufactured for Boeing by Ferra in cooperation with U.S. partners, represent a triumph for Australian industry,” stated Bob Ciesla, Vice President of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems. “Our involvement in Defence’s Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program has been pivotal in facilitating the partnership on JDAM ER wing kits and now the prospects for Powered JDAM.”

“Powered JDAM is set to significantly enhance the operational range of the munition, and in conjunction with the JDAM ER, will effectively and economically address a variety of defence requirements globally,” Ciesla added.

Air Marshal Leon Phillips, Chief of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, commended the collaborative efforts of the Defence Science and Technology Group, Boeing, and Ferra.

“This initiative exemplifies Australian industry collaborating with Defence for the significant advantage of one of our principal allies, the United States,” he remarked.

The JDAM ER kits amplify the effective range of the conventional JDAM — a budget-friendly solution to transform existing munitions into precision-guided smart munitions.

“The RAAF was Boeing’s inaugural JDAM ER client, and we have collaborated with Boeing for 12 years to deliver this essential global defence capability,” said Aaron Thompson, Managing Director of Ferra Engineering. “This guarantees our production pipeline and lays the groundwork for ongoing innovation, including Powered JDAM.”

“The bolstered partnership further fortifies Australian industry’s capability to fulfill the evolving needs of the Australian Defence Force and support its objectives to deter threats and safeguard our nation and allies in an increasingly challenging security landscape,” Thompson concluded.