Germany Buys Laser JDAM

July 30, 2008: Germany has become the first foreign customer for the new U.S. LJDAM (Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions). This is the GPS JDAM system, but with the more accurate laser guidance instead of GPS. It's economical because the only difference between JDAM and LJDAM is the seeker.

On the down side, laser light can be blocked by rain or sand storms, but laser guidance is more accurate (hitting within a meter or two of the target, compared to ten meters for JDAM) and able to hit moving targets. Germany will use LJDAM on its Tornado fighter-bombers. Germany is moving towards sending fighter-bombers to Afghanistan, and LJDAM would be an ideal weapon for the Germans (who fear casualties of any kind).