On March 11, 2025, the U.S. Air Force reached a new milestone in NATO’s escalation of capabilities by using GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guided bombs in Sweden for the first time. This marked a significant step in Sweden’s integration into the Alliance following its accession in March 2024. The operation, conducted as part of Bomber Task Force VIKING NEBULA, demonstrated the capabilities of the B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber and the level of interoperability between U.S. and Swedish forces, strengthening NATO’s collective defense in the European theater. 

The tests took place at a Swedish military training ground, where American B-52Hs, operating together with the Swedish Air Force and ground forces, dropped GBU-38 bombs. This operation was the first time that combat guided munitions were used on the territory of a new NATO member, which underlines the alliance’s desire to strengthen its position in Northern Europe in the face of growing threats. However, experts believe that such a bombing could have been a signal to Russia.

The B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber, which has been in service with the US Air Force since the middle of the last century, remains a key element of American military power. The aircraft is capable of performing missions at a distance of over 8 thousand kilometers without refueling, which makes it an ideal tool for projecting force and strategic deterrence. The B-52H is equipped with a wide range of precision weapons, including JDAM bombs, AGM-86B cruise missiles and other modern munitions.

The GBU-38 JDAM used in the tests is a 227-pound guided munition equipped with a GPS/INS navigation system. It turns conventional free-fall bombs into precision weapons capable of hitting targets with minimal deviation, even in adverse weather conditions or when GPS signals are being jammed. This type of weapon, along with heavier modifications GBU-31 and GBU-32, is widely used by NATO countries due to its versatility and reliability, which makes it an important component of the alliance's arsenal.