| GBU-53/B StormBreaker | |
|---|---|
 Stormbreaker mockup at Dubai Air Show 2019 | |
| Type | Glide bomb |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | Sept 2020[1] |
| Used by | United States Air Force United States Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Raytheon Company |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon Technologies |
| Unit cost | US$195,000 (2021 Air Force)[2] US$220,916 (2021 Navy)[2] US$128,771[3](FY15) US$227,146 inc R&D (FY15)[3] |
| Produced | January 2014–present[4] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 204 lb (93 kg) |
| Length | 69 in (176 cm) |
| Diameter | 6–7 in (15–18 cm) |
| Warhead | 105 lb (48 kg)[5] |
Operational range | 60 nmi (69 mi; 111 km),[6] 40 nmi (46 mi; 74 km) against moving targets[7] |
Guidance system | Millimeter wave Active radar homing / Semi-active laser guidance / Infrared homing (using an uncooled imaging infrared camera) / GPS coupled Inertial guidance / Data-link |
The GBU-53/B StormBreaker, previously known as the Small Diameter Bomb II, is an American air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb.[8]
Development was started in 2006 for a 250 pounds (113 kg) class bomb that can identify and strike mobile targets from standoff distances in all weather conditions. It is integrated on the F-15E Strike Eagle[1] and F/A-18 Hornet[9] and will be integrated into the F-35 Lightning fighter.[10] Its first flight was announced on May 1, 2009.[11] A contract to start low rate initial production was awarded to Raytheon in June 2015.
The bomb is developed and manufactured by Raytheon.[1] A Boeing/Lockheed Martin team attempted to develop it but lost in a U.S. Air Force competition. Boeing won the original competition but the project was on hold for several years due to a corruption scandal involving Darleen Druyun. The competition was reopened in September 2005.[12]
- ^ a b c "Small Diameter Bomb II approved for operational use". - Eglin Air Force Base
- ^ a b "Here Is What Each Of The Pentagon's Air-Launched Missiles And Bombs Actually Cost". 18 February 2020. - The Drive
- ^ a b "GAO-15-342SP Defense acquisitions Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs" (PDF). US Government Accountability Office. March 2015. p. 123. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ^ "GAO-13-294SP Defense acquisitions Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs" (PDF). US Government Accountability Office. March 2013. pp. 101–2. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
- ^ Small Diameter Bomb II Completes Live Fire Test Destroying T-72 Tank – Military, 25 February 2015
- ^ "Ancile". www.deagel.com.
- ^ "StormBreaker Smart Weapon". www.rtx.com.
- ^ "Ancile". www.deagel.com.
- ^ Trimble, Steve (6 November 2023). "U.S. Navy Clears Strombreaker For Super Hornet". Aviation Week.
- ^ "Air Force picks small diameter bomb". United Press International. 10 August 2010.
- ^ "Raytheon GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II Completes First Flight". Space war. 1 May 2009.
- ^ "Raytheon Wins USAs GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb Competition". Defense Industry Daily. 10 August 2010. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010.