Forum: General F-35 Forum

While perusing through the FY2013 budget I cam across a reference that the SDBII and "JMM BRU" was moved from Blk3 to Blk4 in 2017.

http://www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y201 ... B_2013.pdf

Quote:

As a result of the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) program's restructure, SDB II and JMM BRU integration programs were moved from JSF OFP Block 3 to OFP Block 4.

This peaked my interest as it initially implied that SDB, as a whole, was moved to Blk4. A little more digging showed that there was a potential power shortfall with the F-35C, but that the SDB1 will still be part of F-35A Blk3.

Here is the FBO Q&A about the JMM BRU.
https://www.fbo.gov/utils/view?id=966f4 ... 0182f4f143

Quote:

One of the major design considerations for the JMM BRU is to add a 115 VAC/270 VDC dual power capability. JSF testing identified a shortfall in power availability using only 115 VAC. Available power was insufficient to operate the miniature munitions bomb racks and weapons while attempting to fold and unfold the wings during carrier operations. In order to maintain the bomb rack and weapon readiness as aircraft taxi for a catapult launch, 270 VDC was added as a requirement.

To summarize all that I found:
1. Blk3 F-35A will still have SDB1 on the BRU-61A
2. JMM BRU (BRU-61A/A) is a replacement for all BRUs, USAF included. It is a USAF led program, not USN.
3. SDBII will likely make it into the F-35 via UAI, not dedicated Blk 4 changes.
4. The JMM BRU is the same size as the "Lot 6 BRU 61/A."
5. Last but not least, F-35 Blk 4 is to go IOT&E in 2017.

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That's a bit disappointing as I had high hopes for the SDB-II/F-35 combination being available at IOC.

SDB2 was always to be a Blk4 item.

Oh. Ok.

Do we know if Laser JDAM will be available on F-35 at IOC? Otherwise it won't have an all-weather moving target engagement capability, which isn't the end of the world, but will certainly be ammo for the naysayers...

Not sure about LJDAM, but GBU-12 (500lb Paveway II) and the JSOW C-1 are set for IOC. One of the things that is not too clear about what weapons are set for what blocks is that this weapon plan was put into place before UAI came on the scene.

btw, LJDAM , as well as all other JDAM variants, will be fully UAI certified LONG before the the F-35 goes IOC.

Here is the latest on UAI

Quote:

UAI is currently being implemented on the F-15E, F-16 Block 40/50, and EPAF(European Participating Air Forces) F-16 aircraft, Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) I and II, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Laser JDAM, Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) and Precision Guided Munitions Planning Software (PGMPS).

Not many has been ordered “yet” by level partners: SDB1’s to Italy, 500 SDB 1’s will be produced by Oto Melara in Italy. As well as Israel, some 1000 SDB 1’s.

Under the terms of the contract, Boeing will provide major SDB I mechanical and electrical components and test equipment for production of 500 tactical weapons, 50 four-place weapon carriages, and associated support equipment. In addition, Boeing will provide technical assistance in establishing a production facility in Italy. Oto Melara will provide various components and complete final weapon assembly and testing.

http://defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?n=Boeing, Oto Melara sign $34 million contract for SDB co-production in Italy&id=4036

Suppose operational not much of a problem for most of the level partners. When the first F35’s will be delivered, ordering SDB’s next or comming years (?), will take as well some years, negotiating, ordering and delivery, will SDB’s be operational on their F35’s.

A. Mission Description and Budget Item Justification
Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II) is a joint program, with the Air Force (AF) as the lead service, which provides the warfighter a capability to attack mobile targets in all weather from Stand-Off range.

SDB II addresses the following warfighter requirements: attack mobile targets, adverse weather operations, multiple kills per pass, multiple ordnance carriage, precision munitions capability, capability against fixed targets, reduced munitions footprint, increased weapons effectiveness, minimized potential for collateral damage, reduced susceptibility of munitions to countermeasures and provides a net-centric operations capability.

The threshold aircraft for the AF is the F-15E and the threshold aircrafts for the Department of Navy are the F-35B and F-35C. SDB II will be compatible with the BRU-61/A miniature munitions carriage.

http://www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y201 ... B_2012.pdf

Correct, the SDB2 is compatible with the current BRU (115 VAC system). The problem is that on the F-35C there is a potential power supply issue when folding & unfolding the wings. This has lead to the development of the JMM BRU with a dual power (115 VAC & 270 VDC) system. It is the JMM BRU that is mentioned as being pushed to Blk4, not the original BRU (still Blk3).

On the SDB ordering front, it takes a little over a year from order to delivery for SDBs. For example, in FY2011 the USAF placed an order for 2685 SDB1s. The order was placed in Nov 2010. Deliveries started in Jan 2012 at a rate of 223 a month.

So if a client ordered an F-35 for delivery in 2017 (LL items ordered in 2014 and airframe ordered in 2015) then they could wait until 2016 to order the SDBs.

Suppose you are right about delivery of SDB’s in time.

Don’t know when the Dutch started negotiating? This release is from July 2010.
Delivery of SDB1’s will -/or has been started in 2012.

Quote: WASHINGTON, July 27, 2010 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress July 26 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to The Netherlands of
603 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs1 (SDB1) and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $44 million.

http://www.dsca.mil/pressreleases/36-b/ ... _10-32.pdf

Indeed, no problem when ordering the F35 by level partners who does want to order SDB’s as well.

Israel - GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

Quote: WASHINGTON, September 9, 2008 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $77 million.

The Government of Israel has requested a possible sale of 1,000 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB1), 150 BRU-61/A SDB1 Mounting Carriages, 30 Guided Test Vehicles, 2 BRU-61/A SDB Instrumented Carriages, 7 Jettison Test Vehicles, 1 Separation Test Vehicle, 2 Reliability and Assessment Vehicles, 12 Common Munitions BIT and Reprogramming Equipment with Test Equipment and Adapters, 3 SDB1 Weapons Simulators, and 2 Load Crew Trainers.

Also includes containers, flight test integration, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $77 million.

http://www.dsca.osd.mil/PressReleases/3 ... _08-82.pdf

Total orders SDB's level partners, US included, till so far:

o US (total: ?)
o Italy (500)
o Netherlands (603)

Associated partner(s):
o Israel (1000)

USAF = 12,500
USN = none so far that I could find.

SpudmanWP wrote:

USAF = 12,500
USN = none so far that I could find.

Interesting, I thought the SDB-II had a shortened design meant specifically to allow the F-35B to carry 3.

Last edited by SpudmanWP on Mar 18, 2012 - 10:42 PM; edited 1 time in total

The BRU-61A is designed to fit, as-is, into the F-35B (so it can still carry 4).

The USAF did not order any SDB1s in the FY2013 budget and only ordered 100 & 144 SDB2s in FY 2012/13 (as they are in early SDD).

Forum: General F-35 Forum

F-35 Blk 4 and SDBII schedule