GBU-39 SDB Development Goes Forward

Released on Monday, January 17, 2005

The Boeing company has announced that the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) program scored an important success on December 13 and 15, 2004, when an F-15E dropped two fully functional GBU-39s at White Sands Missile range, New Mexico. GBU-39 bomb is also known as SDB Increment I.

The bombs were released from the F-15E flying at 15,000-ft (4,600 meters) and scored direct hits on each assigned target. This is the first time such a test is conducted by the US Air Force using the SDB. On target was a scoring board and the other was a Russian rocket launcher where the SDB sensor detonated the warhead just before the impact optimizing blast/fragmentation effects.

These two GBU-39s performed the 15th and 16th guided missions for the SDB program. The launches tested the complete SDB system including logistics, mission planning, pneumatic four weapon carriage, and the enhanced accuracy system currently deployed in the United States. GBU-39 is planned to go into production in fiscal year 2006 and achieving initial operational capability (IOC) in 2006. GBU-40 Increment II weapon variant for moving targets will enter development in fiscal year 2006.