Boeing Speeds Up Delivery Of GPS-Guidance Bomb Kits To Israel: Report

Boeing Company BA has reportedly expedited the delivery of 1,800 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits, intended to convert standard bombs into precision weaponry, to Israel.

The expedited deliveries of JDAM kits from Boeing to the Israeli government stem from a 2021 Direct Commercial Sale valued at about $735 million, reported Bloomberg.

The sale provided for deliveries over several years, but that timetable has been accelerated since the recent Hamas attacks on Israel, the report noted.

The delivery wasn't routed through the U.S. military, but the Pentagon reportedly provided advisory support since it was a direct sale.

Senators may ask Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for details of all munitions transfers to Israel, including the JDAM kits and 155mm artillery shells.

On Oct. 12, the Israeli Air Force announced its actions against Hamas on the social platform X and disclosed having deployed 6,000 bombs in the initial five days of the conflict.

The 2021 sale was controversial when Congress was notified of it by the administration. Senator Bernie Sanders and some House members moved to block the proposed sale in protest over Israeli attacks in Gaza at the time, but it wasn't voted on, the report noted, citing the Congressional Research Service.

Last week, Bloomberg highlighted Boeing's dispatch of 1,000 250-pound Small Diameter Bombs to Israel, which were also a component of the May 2021 transaction.

JDAM kits have the technology to enhance standard bombs weighing between 500 and 2,000 pounds. 

The report further noted JDAMs can be deployed from various aircraft, including B-2 and B-1B bombers and fighters like F-15E, F-16, F-22, and F-35A.

Also Read: Boeing Launches Tech Center In Brazil To Explore Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Price Action: BA shares are trading lower by 0.56% at $184.65 in on the last check Thursday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.