London, UK---The Boeing Company and Alenia Marconi Systems (AMS) today signed a teaming agreement for worldwide sales and marketing of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) family of weapons and its derivatives. The teaming agreement also includes the Small Diameter Bomb program, about to enter the competition phase in the U.S.
The new agreement will give the AMS Dynamics Division access to JDAM technology for the United Kingdom's Precision Guided Bomb program and other potential markets. Boeing gains additional access to markets where AMS has strong representation, and to technologies available within AMS, such as the Diamond Back wing kit. Additional benefits will accrue for both companies with the formation of the new European missile company, MBDA, later this year.
This agreement supports the U.S. Department of Defense objective of ensuring interoperability among allied nations by providing a strong European industrial partner for JDAM and its derivatives.
The Boeing Company is the prime contractor for the JDAM program. JDAM is a kit that converts unguided bombs into precision munitions. It has a proven record in test and combat. Over 28,000 JDAMs are on order by the U.S. Government with more than 10,000 delivered.
This is the latest teaming agreement between AMS and Boeing. AMS and Boeing are currently teamed on the Brimstone programme, for which AMS is prime contractor. Brimstone was selected by the UK Royal Air Force for fast jet operation in the anti-armour role. Boeing and AMS have also successfully demonstrated extended range for JDAM using the Diamond Back wing kit.
