Harris on target

has been awarded an $18.2 million follow-on contract by Boeing to provide Anti-Jam Global Positioning System (AJ GPS) modules for Boeing's Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).

The initial development contract was valued at approximately $3.9 million, bringing the total value of the program for Harris to more than $21 million since 2003. Full production and future options could increase the program's value for Harris to more than $50 million by 2008.

JDAM is a low-cost tail kit that converts existing free-fall bombs into highly accurate "smart" weapons. The tail kit, developed and produced by Boeing, consists of a new tail section that contains a GPS-based Inertial Navigation System (INS).

Harris is providing its advanced AJ GPS electronics module for integration into the tail kit. AJ GPS technology enhances the munition's resistance to both intentional and unintentional RF interference of the GPS satellite's signal.

"JDAM is a high-profile munition that will play a significant role in any conflict where precise delivery of weapons is essential, helping to minimise casualties to non-combatants and collateral damage to vital infrastructures," said Dan Pearson, president of the Department of Defense (DoD) Programs business unit of Harris Corporation's Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD).