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| GBU-39 (Small Diameter Bomb) | |
|---|---|
4 SDBs (training/ground handling variant) loaded on an F-15E Strike Eagle
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| Type | Bomb |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2006–present |
| Used by | United States Israel Italy |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan, Iraq War, Gaza War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Integrated Defense Systems |
| Unit cost | US$40,000 (SDB)[1] US$250,000FY2014[2] (SDB II) |
| Produced | 2005–present |
| Variants | GBU-39 / GBU-40 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 285 lb (129 kg) |
| Length | 70.8 in (1.80 m)[3] |
| Width | 7.5 in (190 mm) |
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| Warhead | AFX-757 Dense Inert Metal Explosive[citation needed] SDB: penetrating blast fragmentation[4] SDB FLM: blast ultra low fragmentation[5] |
| Warhead weight | 206 lb (93 kg)[4][5] |
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Operational
range |
SDB I (GBU-39) more than 60 nmi (110 km)[3] SDB II (GBU-53) 45 miles (72km) against moving targets[6] |
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Guidance
system |
SDB I (GBU-39) GPS / INS SDB II (GBU-53) GPS/INS with coupled IMU/datalink, IIR and millimeter wave Active radar homing |
| Accuracy | SDB I (GBU-39) 5–8 m CEP SDB II (GBU-53) 1m CEP est. |
GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
The Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) / GBU-53/B scheduled to enter production in January 2014 will add a tri-mode seeker (radar, infrared homing, and semiactive laser guidance) to the INS and GPS guidance of the original SDB.[8]
The patent of the GBU-39 lists depleted uranium as one of the materials likely to be used for incendiary purposes.[9]
Contents
[hide]Description
The original SDB is equipped with a GPS-aided inertial navigation system to attack fixed/stationary targets such as fuel depots, bunkers etc. The second variant (Boeing's GBU-40 or Raytheon's GBU-53 (SDB II)) will include a thermal seeker and radar with automatic target recognition features for striking mobile targets such as tanks, vehicles, and mobile command posts.[10]The small size of the bomb allows a single strike aircraft to carry more of the munitions than is possible utilizing currently available bomb units. The SDB carries approximately 38 pounds (17 kg) of AFX-757 high explosive.[citation needed] It also has integrated "DiamondBack" type wings which deploy after release, increasing the glide time and therefore the maximum range. Its size and accuracy allow for an effective munition with less collateral damage.[11]
- Warhead penetration: 3 feet (0.91 m) of steel reinforced concrete [12]
- Fuze: Electronic safe and fire (ESAF) cockpit selectable functions, including air burst and delayed options.
Development
In 2002, while Boeing and Lockheed Martin were competing to develop the Small Diameter Bomb, Darleen A. Druyun—at that time Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and Management—deleted the requirement for moving target engagement, which favored Boeing. She was later convicted of violating a conflict of interest statute.[13][14]On May 1, 2009, Raytheon announced that it had completed its first test flight of the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II, which has a data link and a tri-mode seeker built with technology developed for the Precision Attack Missile.[15] And on August 10, 2010 the U.S. Air Force awarded a $450 million contract for engineering and development.[16]
Although unit costs were somewhat uncertain as of 2006, the estimated cost for the INS/GPS version was around US$70,000. Boeing and the Italian firm Oto Melara have signed a contract covering the license production of 500 GBU-39s (INS/GPS) and 50 BRU-61/a racks for the Aeronautica Militare, at a cost of nearly US$34 million. US$317m was spent on R&D and spares for SDB II in FY13/14, with US$148.5m requested in these categories for FY15, the total budget split roughly 70:30 between USAF and USN.[2] SDB II production began in FY14 with 144 bombs for the USAF at a unit cost of US$250,000.[2] The FY15 budget requested 246 bombs at a cost of US$287,000 each.[2]
Timeline
- October 2001 – Boeing is awarded the SDB contract.[17]
- September 2005 – Small Diameter Bomb certified for operational test, evaluation.[18]
- September 2006 – SDB team deliver the first SDBs to the USAF.[19]
- October 2006 – Initial Operational Capability declared for SDB on the F15E.[20]
- October 2006 – First use in combat.[21]
- February 2008 – 1,000th SDB I and first 50 FLM delivered.[22]
- September 2008 – Israel receives approval from the US Congress to purchase 1,000 bombs.[23]
- December 2008 – Reportedly used against Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip, including underground rocket launchers.[23]
- January 2009 – Unnamed Boeing official stated that they have yet to deliver any SDBs to Israel.[24]
- August 2010 – U.S. Air Force selects Raytheon's GBU-53/B for Small Diameter Bomb II Program.[25]
Aircraft
The SDB is currently integrated on the F-15E Strike Eagle, Panavia Tornado, and AC-130W. Future integration is planned for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, A-10 Thunderbolt II, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and the B-52 Stratofortress. Other aircraft, including UCAVs, may also receive the necessary upgrades.GBU-39 began separation tests on the F-22 in early September 2007 after more than a year of sometimes difficult work to integrate the weapon in the weapons bay and carry out airborne captive carry tests.
Ground-launched SDB
Boeing is modifying the Small Diameter Bomb with a rocket motor to be launched from ground-based missile systems such as the M270 MLRS. With the Army demilitarizing cluster munitions from M26 rockets, the company says a special adapter case could reuse the rocket to launch the SDB. After the motor launches it to a high enough altitude and speed, the wings will deploy and glide the bomb to its target. The company believes it can fill a gap for long-range precision fires while using its smaller warhead to save larger rocket munitions for strategic targets. While typical MLRS systems follow a ballistic trajectory, the rocket-launched SDB can be launched to an altitude and glide on a selected trajectory.[26][27] Boeing and Saab Group announced a successful GLSDB test in March 2015.[28]Laser SDB
In mid-2012, the U.S. Senate recommended zeroing out funding for the SDB II due to fielding delays with the F-35 Lightning II. With the delay in SDB II fielding, Boeing recommended an upgrade to their SDB as a temporary gap-filler to get desired performance at a fraction of the cost. Called the Laser Small Diameter Bomb (LSDB), it integrates the laser used on the JDAM to enable the bomb to strike moving targets. Boeing began testing the LSDB in 2011 and successfully hit targets traveling 30–50 mph (48–80 km/h).[29] In June 2013, the Air Force announced it would award Boeing a contract to develop and test the LSDB; the contract is for phase one part two engineering, integration and test, and production support and an LSDB Weapon Simulator. Boeing says the LSDB can be built at a lower cost than the planned Raytheon SDB II, as it will use the same semi-active laser sensor as the JDAM to hit moving and maritime targets. However, Boeing admits that it does not have the capability to engage targets in zero-visibility weather, as it lacks the SDB II's millimeter wave radar.[30]SDB Focused Lethality Munition (FLM)
Under a contract awarded in September 2006, Boeing is developing a version of the SDB I which replaces the steel casing with a lightweight composite casing and the warhead with a focused-blast explosive such as Dense Inert Metal Explosive (DIME). This should further reduce collateral damage when using the weapon for pin-point strikes in urban areas.[31]On 28 February 2008, Boeing celebrated the delivery of the first 50 FLM weapons.[32]
The USAF intends to use the same FLM casing on a weapon of 500 pounds (227 kg).[33]
In December 2013, Boeing delivered the last of the 500 FLMs under contract.[34]
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