Raytheon and the U.S. Air Force completed three successful Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) or GBU-53, Guided Test Vehicle (GTV) flight tests...
The flight tests which resulted in direct hits, are the last required prior to the start of low-rate initial production.
During the test, SDB II's tri-mode seeker used sensor data to determine whether the vehicle was wheeled or tracked, aiding in target identification and prioritization.
Two live fire tests are scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks, featuring live warheads and fuzes on the SDB II against tactically representative targets.
SDB II employs Raytheon's tri-mode seeker that can operate in three modes: millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared and semi-active laser. These three modes enable all weather engagement capability from standoff ranges.
The tri-mode seeker can peer through storm clouds or battlefield dust and debris to engage fixed or moving targets and is also countermeasures resistant.
SDB II can strike targets from a range of more than 40 nautical miles, with a dynamic warhead that can destroy both soft and armored targets, while keeping collateral damage to a minimum through a small explosive footprint.
It also has the flexibility to change targets inflight, through a secure datalink that feeds latest updates to the weapon.
US DoD has invested more than $700 million in the SDB II program. The precision-guided glide bomb is intended to increase the no of bombs carried by fighter jets. It is designed to have a 1m Circular Error Probability (CEP).
Unlike the GBU-39 (SDB), which is optimised for fixed targets, especially hardened infrastructure and basing, the GBU-53 is intended for attacks on moving battlefield targets, especially vehicles and heavy armour. Initial integration is planned with the F-15E and later F-35.
