US Investigating Malfunction of 'Smart Bombs' Transferred to Ukraine: NBC News

The United States is investigating the malfunction of guidance systems in 'smart bombs' transferred to Ukraine. This was reported by NBC News, citing Pentagon documents that were previously leaked online.

According to the released documents, the U.S. is examining the reasons behind recent issues identified with American Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) equipped bombs used in Ukraine. The document indicates that JDAM munitions have recently malfunctioned.

In the U.S., there is a belief that these malfunctions are occurring because the fuzes are not properly 'armed'. Additionally, the document notes that Russian forces may be using special systems that interfere with the GPS signals of JDAM munitions.

It was reported in early March by U.S. Air Force General James Harker that Ukraine is using GPS-guided bombs based on JDAM-ER technology. Bloomberg reports that 'smart bombs' produced by Boeing, which are utilized by the BBC and the U.S. Navy, have been transferred to Kyiv.

JDAM allows unguided munitions to be converted into more accurate 'smart bombs'. As noted by the Military.com portal, this technology works as follows: the military sets the coordinates of the target before firing, after which the missile autonomously flies towards the target. After being launched, the bomb 'unfolds its wings', which triples its range of flight.

According to Bloomberg, JDAM-ER systems can be integrated onto unguided munitions weighing between 220 to 900 kg, with a destruction range of up to 45 miles (over 72 km).

On April 7, The New York Times reported that secret American documents detailing U.S. and NATO plans to increase support for the Ukrainian army ahead of its planned counteroffensive had emerged online. Journalists later focused on another series of U.S. secret documents relating not only to Ukraine but also specifically to the Middle East, China, the recruitment of agents by the CIA, and North Korea's nuclear program.

According to The Washington Post, senior Pentagon officials have entered a state of 'panic' after the leak of U.S. secret documents online, leading them to decide to limit the exchange of intelligence data. Furthermore, the publication claims that the leak has sparked dissatisfaction among Ukrainian military personnel and politicians, as Kyiv has attempted to hide its vulnerabilities, particularly regarding the shortage of munitions.