The US State Department has approved a possible $82-million sale comprising precision-guided munitions, general-purpose (GP) bombs, guidance kits, and related equipment to Japan.
Tokyo has requested up to 28 GBU‑53 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB)-Increment II all-up-rounds (AURs), which will be added to a previously implemented arms deal valued at $81 million, bringing the combined notification to cover up to 120 GBU‑39 SDB-Increment I and up to 28 GBU‑53 SDB-II AURs.
In addition, the package covers several Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits that convert unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons, namely, 30 KMU-556 for GBU-31; 20 KMU-559 for GBU-32; and 24 KMU-572 for GBU-38.
Apart from precision-guided munitions and kits, 24 MK-82 500-pound (227-kilogram) GP bombs, 30 MK-84 2,000-pound (907-kilogram) GP bombs, and 21 BLU-110 1,000-pound (454-kilogram) GP bombs are included.
The explosives and guidance kits will be accompanied by FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes; DSU-38 laser sensors; practice bombs and bomb components; weapons and weapon support equipment; major modifications and maintenance support; training aids, devices, and spare parts; as well as other related program and support elements.
“The proposed sale will improve Japan’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing stand-off capability via advanced, long-range strike systems for employment on Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter aircraft,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.
Boeing and RTX will serve as the principal contractors.
