The Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) System is the next generation of low-cost and low collateral-damage precision strike weapons for internal and external carriage.
Components and Capabilities
The SDB System comprises the following components: the weapon itself, a four-weapon carriage, a precision inertial navigation system/global positioning system, a mission-planning system, and a logistics-support system.
- Weapon
- GBU-39/B: multipurpose, insensitive, penetrating, blast-fragmentation warhead for stationary targets; equipped with deployable wings for extended standoff range
- Dimensions: (L x W): 70.8" x 7.5" (1.8 m x 19 cm)
- Weight: 285 pounds (130 kg)
- Warhead penetration: 3 feet of steel reinforced concrete
- Fuse: electronic safe/arm fuze (ESAF) cockpit selectable functions, including air burst and delayed options
- Standoff maximum range: more than 60 nautical miles
- BRU-61/A "smart" pneumatic carriage
- Payload capacity: four weapons
- Weight: 320 pounds (145 kg) empty, 1,460 pounds (664 kg) loaded
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 143" x 16" x 16" (3.6 m x 40.6 cm x 40.6 cm)
- Fits nearly all delivery platforms, including internal/external carriages in the F-22A, F-35, Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) and B-1 and B-2 bombers
- Guidance
- Precision inertial navigation system/global positioning system (INS/GPS)
- Anti-jam GPS and selective-ability anti-spoofing module (SAASM)
- GBU-39/B: multipurpose, insensitive, penetrating, blast-fragmentation warhead for stationary targets; equipped with deployable wings for extended standoff range
Advantages
The SDB System offers the following advantages over systems that have a single 1,000-pound or 2,000-pound weapon:
- More targets per sortie (4 weapons per aircraft weapons station)
- Reduces collateral damage as a result of accuracy and small weapon size
- Improves pilot/aircrew safety with its extended standoff range
Status
- Production deliveries started in April 2006 and system is in full rate production
- Air Combat Command Commander declared initial operational capability for the SDB System on October 2, 2006--fielded ahead of schedule
- SDB System successfully employed in combat from F-15E Strike Eagles of the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron providing close-air support for ground troops operating in Iraq starting on October 5, 2006
For more information on Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I), read the Small Diameter Bomb Increment I (SDB I) overview.
For more information on Small Diameter Bomb Focused Lethality Munition (SDB FLM), read the Small Diameter Bomb Focused Lethality Munition (SDB FLM) overview.
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SDB in the News (stories from Air Force Link)
Strike Eagles 'rain thunder' on enemy
Small Diameter Bomb debuts in Afghanistan