SDB II Scores Hits in Flight Tests

[popcorn]

Good progress being made. Looking forward to F-35 SDB weapons testing in the not-so-distant future.

http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pa ... Tests.aspx

Raytheon and the Air Force completed a series of flight tests for the Small Diameter Bomb II that culminated in hitting ground targets moving at operationally representative speeds, announced the company. "These tests showcase the game-changing capability of Raytheon's tri-mode seeker to detect, track, and engage moving targets in adverse weather," said John O'Brien, the company's SDB II program director, in the company's Oct. 29 release. He said "these successes" demonstrated Raytheon's "readiness to progress the SDB II program to the system verification review and milestone C." Passing a milestone C review would clear the SDB II program to initiate weapon production. SDB II is designed to hit stationary and moving ground targets from standoff ranges of more than 40 nautical miles.

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

and the ability to carry eight of them.... This is going to change the way that sortie planning is done.

[spazsinbad]

Small Diameter Bomb II nears end of development phase
26 June 2014 RAYTHEON PR

"Latest flight tests move program closer to production

TUCSON, Ariz., June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Air Force concluded a series of flight tests for the Small Diameter Bomb II culminating in direct hits on stationary land targets. The successful tests further position the SDB II program to move from engineering, manufacturing, development phase to low rate initial production.

Using upgraded hardware and electronics during extended periods of flight, SDB II successfully acquired and engaged several stationary targets.

"Detecting stationary targets amidst the clutter of battlefield environments without using latitude and longitude presents a difficult challenge for most weapons today, but not SDB II," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "Acquiring stationary targets with the same seeker that can identify and track moving targets demonstrates the dynamic capability this new weapon brings to the warfighter."

SDB II can hit targets from a range of more than 40 nautical miles. Its powerful warhead can destroy armored targets, while keeping collateral damage to a minimum through a small explosive footprint. The highly accurate SDB II offers warfighters the flexibility to change targets through a datalink that passes inflight updates to the weapon.

"These latest tests showcase our tri-mode seeker's game-changing capability to acquire, track, engage and destroy both stationary and moving targets in adverse weather," said John O'Brien, Raytheon Small Diameter Bomb II program director. "Upcoming live fire tests will prove the end-to-end capability of SDB II and will demonstrate the program's readiness to progress to System Verification Review and Milestone C, clearing the way for low rate initial production."..."

Source: http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2589

[spazsinbad]

F-35, F/A-18E/F, F-16 activities have begun
14 Jul 2014 Raytheon Company

"LONDON, July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force have begun Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) integration activities on the F-35, F/A-18E/F, and F-16 aircrafts. Preliminary SDB II fit checks and pit tests have been completed on the F-35, supporting the Joint Strike Fighter's ability to carry eight SDB IIs internally....

..."Beginning the integration efforts on different aircraft is an important first step in bringing SDB II's capabilities to other front line fighters," said John O'Brien, Raytheon SDB II program director. "With the start of low-rate initial production right around the corner, SDB II will soon be in the hands of our warfighters and making a difference on the battlefield."

Raytheon and the U.S. Air Force are completing a series of flight tests that will move the SDB II program closer to Milestone C, the gateway to begin low-rate production.

SDB II can strike targets from a range of more than 40 nautical miles, with a dynamic warhead that can destroy both soft and armored targets, while keeping collateral damage to a minimum through a small explosive footprint. The highly accurate SDB II offers warfighters the flexibility to change targets through a secure datalink that passes in-flight updates to the weapon.

"SDB II integration on multiple platforms will allow more warfighters to take advantage of the tri-mode seeker's game-changing capability to acquire, track, engage and destroy both stationary and moving targets in adverse weather," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems Vice President. "Upcoming flight tests and live fire shots will further demonstrate the end-to-end capability of SDB II."

About SDB II
SDB II employs Raytheon's uncooled tri-mode seeker. The new seeker operates in three modes: millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared and semi-active laser. These three modes enable the weapon to seek and destroy targets, even in adverse weather conditions from standoff ranges.

The DOD has validated SDB II as a weapon that meets a critical warfighter need and has invested more than $700 million in the SDB II program...."

Source: http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2603

[spazsinbad]

Raytheon SDB II for F-15E and F-35 Nears Low-rate Production
16 Jul 2014 David Donald

"...Platforms
SDB II entered the engineering manufacturing development phase in August 2010, and that is scheduled to continue until 2017. LRIP weapons will be fielded first on the U.S. Air Force’s Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, which has been used for a number of tests that have verified the weapon’s capability against moving targets. The majority of EMD flight trials have already been completed, with only a few fully guided tests left to be accomplished during this month.

In addition to the F-15E, the SDB II is considered a priority for the Lockheed Martin F-35B/C for the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, although it would also be applicable to the Air Force’s F-35A. Fit-checks were completed early last year to verify that the Joint Strike Fighter could carry four SDB IIs in each weapons bay alongside an AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile.

SDB II is planned for inclusion in the Block 4A iteration of the F-35, which is scheduled to achieve initial operating capability around 2021. Raytheon (Chalet C7-9, OE9) and the JSF team are shortly to begin pit-drop tests from the F-35’s bay before increasingly complex air-drop tests. These begin with jettison test vehicles to verify safe separation, control test vehicles with initial guidance package and finally guided test vehicles with full guidance systems and telemetry equipment. In terms of the F-35 itself, some integration is required in the operational flight program software.

Although the F-15E and F-35 are the main priorities for SDB II, the weapon is also applicable to many other U.S. tactical aircraft, including the unmanned MQ-9 Reaper. Raytheon has received approval to offer the weapon for export to certain partner nations, and it has received considerable interest. To support this campaign the SDB II has been fit-checked on the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F/A-18."

Caption: "Four GBU-53/B SDB IIs can be fitted into each internal bay of the F-35 alongside an Amraam."
http://www.ainonline.com/sites/default/ ... -pic-1.jpg

Source: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ ... production

[spazsinbad]

Small Diameter Bomb II glides toward Milestone C
04 Sep 2014 RAYTHEON

"Latest flight test series further demonstrates new weapon's capability
TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Air Force completed three successful Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) Guided Test Vehicle (GTV) flights against stationary and moving targets, resulting in direct hits. The flight tests are the last GTVs required prior to Milestone C and the start of low-rate initial production.

"These guided tests were successfully accomplished against separate targets in both moving and static scenarios that included both wheeled and tracked vehicles," said John O'Brien, Raytheon SDB II program director. "The ability to classify targets and make targeting decisions based on that classification is a revolutionary capability possessed by no other weapon or seeker today."

During the test, SDB II's tri-mode seeker used sensor data to determine whether the vehicle was wheeled or tracked, aiding in target identification and prioritization. Upcoming live-fire shots will further demonstrate the end-to-end capability of SDB II and its readiness to enter production.

"SDB II will bring game-changing capability to the warfighter," said O'Brien. "The government and industry team looks forward to the upcoming Milestone C decision, so we can transition SDB II into production and deliver it to the warfighters who need it."

Two live fire tests are scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks, which will utilize live warheads and fuzes on the SDB II against tactically representative targets...."

Source: http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2636

[KamenRiderBlade]

What is going to happen to the original SDB once SDB II goes into IOC?

[cantaz]

What is going to happen to the original SDB once SDB II goes into IOC?

SDB I will be the cheaper alternative for static targets. The I/II are meant to be complimentary, not a sequence of replacement.

[SpudmanWP]

SDB1 is also a better bunker buster than SDB2.

Boing is also developing a LGB version of SDB1 that will allow pinpoint and moving target modes while still keeping the low cost and better penetration of SDB1. It is going to use the low-cost seeker from LJDAM.



http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-d ... -contract/

[sferrin]

SDB1 is also a better bunker buster than SDB2.

Boing is also developing a LGB version of SDB1 that will allow pinpoint and moving target modes while still keeping the low cost and better penetration of SDB1. It is going to use the low-cost seeker from LJDAM.



http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-d ... -contract/

I keep wondering why they don't put a droppable booster on the tail end.

[cantaz]

The present wing package might not have much leeway relative to CoG changes.

[count_to_10]

Something tells me we are going to need a whole lot of cheep guided bombs sooner rather than later.

[sferrin]

The present wing package might not have much leeway relative to CoG changes.

I was thinking they could just leave the wings closed until the booster burned out and dropped off. Thing something like a RIM-67 configuration with the booster being about as long as the SDB. Of course the aerodynamics could be completely wrong for those speeds/altitudes. Or maybe it becomes an SDB 3. An AIM-120-length boost-glide weapon.

[mixelflick]

Raytheon SDB II for F-15E and F-35 Nears Low-rate Production
16 Jul 2014 David Donald

"...Platforms
SDB II entered the engineering manufacturing development phase in August 2010, and that is scheduled to continue until 2017. LRIP weapons will be fielded first on the U.S. Air Force’s Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, which has been used for a number of tests that have verified the weapon’s capability against moving targets. The majority of EMD flight trials have already been completed, with only a few fully guided tests left to be accomplished during this month.

In addition to the F-15E, the SDB II is considered a priority for the Lockheed Martin F-35B/C for the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, although it would also be applicable to the Air Force’s F-35A. Fit-checks were completed early last year to verify that the Joint Strike Fighter could carry four SDB IIs in each weapons bay alongside an AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile.

SDB II is planned for inclusion in the Block 4A iteration of the F-35, which is scheduled to achieve initial operating capability around 2021. Raytheon (Chalet C7-9, OE9) and the JSF team are shortly to begin pit-drop tests from the F-35’s bay before increasingly complex air-drop tests. These begin with jettison test vehicles to verify safe separation, control test vehicles with initial guidance package and finally guided test vehicles with full guidance systems and telemetry equipment. In terms of the F-35 itself, some integration is required in the operational flight program software.

Although the F-15E and F-35 are the main priorities for SDB II, the weapon is also applicable to many other U.S. tactical aircraft, including the unmanned MQ-9 Reaper. Raytheon has received approval to offer the weapon for export to certain partner nations, and it has received considerable interest. To support this campaign the SDB II has been fit-checked on the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F/A-18."

Caption: "Four GBU-53/B SDB IIs can be fitted into each internal bay of the F-35 alongside an Amraam."
http://www.ainonline.com/sites/default/ ... -pic-1.jpg

Source: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ ... production

This looks like a 12 SDB2 load out?

[zerion]

This looks like a 12 SDB2 load out?

How? I see 4 in one bay. The article says only 4 SDB+ 1 AMRAAM per bay. How do you figure 12