Raytheon Unveils SDB II

Aug. 12, 2010

Raytheon has released an image of its winning Small Diameter Bomb Increment II design. The illustration shows details of the GBU-53/B, such as its antenna placement. This air-delivered munition, dubbed SDB II, is meant to attack both stationary and moving targets in any kind of weather via its tri-mode seeker. The Air Force on Monday chose the GBU-53/B over a competing design offered by a Boeing-Lockheed Martin team. Raytheon is expected to start delivering SDB IIs in 2013 for carriage on platforms like the F-15E and F-35. Boeing builds the SDB I, which is designed to strike fixed targets.

Related Content

Kendall: ‘Race For Technological Superiority With China’ Warrants Divestments

May 17, 2022
A record investment in research and development by the Department of the Air Force will help the United States win the long-term technology race with China, even while shrinking the fleet size before a possible mid-decade Taiwan contingency, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said May 17. “With the Air Force,…

In CNAS-Led Taiwan Wargame, No Air Superiority, No Quick Win

May 17, 2022
In a 2027 invasion of Taiwan by China, neither side achieves air superiority, both sides take heavy losses, and China finds little hope for a fait accompli, according to a recent wargame run by the Center for a New American Security. The game highlighted the advances China has made and…

Decision on New F-35 Engines Predicted in 2024 Defense Budget

May 17, 2022
Whether the F-35 fighter will get new engines from the Air Force’s cutting-edge Adaptive Engine Transition Program is a question that needs to be resolved at the Defense Department level, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told lawmakers May 17—and he anticipates an answer in the 2024 budget. 

Why a Continuing Resolution in 2023 Would Be ‘Particularly Negative’

May 17, 2022
Department of the Air Force leaders have not been shy in the past about voicing the issues caused by the use of continuing resolutions to fund the federal government. But addressing the lawmakers responsible for passing an annual budget, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall made the case that a CR…

ARRW Flies at Hypersonic Speeds in First Successful Test

May 16, 2022
The Air Force conducted its first successful test of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, on May 14, snapping a streak of three consecutive failed tests and giving the beleaguered hypersonics program a much needed boost. Off the coast of Southern California, the AGM-183A ARRW separated from the wing…

Air Force’s Biggest MILCON Contract Ever on Record Goes to Tyndall Rebuild

May 16, 2022
It’s been more than three-and-a-half years since Hurricane Michael pummeled Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., severely damaging or destroying 95 percent of the base’s 1,300 structures. On May 10, the base took a major step in its long build back to become the “Base of the Future” with the awarding…

US Troops Return to Somalia as Al-Shabab Threat Increases

May 16, 2022
President Joe Biden approved a Defense Department request to return "under 500" American troops to Somalia, where the al-Shabab terrorist group has grown in wealth and influence and increased the tempo of its attacks since U.S. troops withdrew in January 2021. A senior administration official told members of the press…