US Navy tests new long-range glide bomb

The US Navy has reported successful tests of a new long-range guided bomb, the GBU-75 JDAM LR. The munition, which is a standard 227-kg Mk 82 bomb equipped with a turbojet engine, was launched from F/A-18 fighter jets during trials in early April. The tests demonstrated the bomb's ability to fly over 200 nautical miles (370 km), including flights with altitude changes and maneuvering. This development creates a new class of munition that bridges the gap between traditional glide bombs and cruise missiles, offering extended range at the potential cost of the low price point typical of unpowered bombs.