Eglin's Red Devils pave the way for new war era from the air
On 13 October 2020, the USAF and Raytheon Missiles & Defense announced that the GBU-53/B StormBreaker, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) smart weapon, has been approved for use on the F-15E Strike Eagle. This latest fielding decision means that USAF's Strike Eagle squadrons can now be equipped with the StormBreaker and deployed for missions.
It was stated that Eglin AFB (FL) units flew a combination of 138 developmental and operational flight tests to help successfully achieve the milestone. The 96th Test Wing’s 40th Flight Test Squadron named "The Red Devils", flying the F-15E and the 780th Test Squadron, preparing the test StormBreakers, performed the developmental tests. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Det. 2 and the 53rd Wing’s 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron completed the operational tests. The last unit is no stranger. It is expected that the 422nd TES, which is flying the F-35A Lightning II and normally based at Nellis AFB (NV), will seamlessly put together USAF's next test StormBreaker programme.
As for the StormBreaker; The SDB II delivers an unprecedented capability to pilots in the air and operational commanders on the ground and sea. It has the ability to strike maritime or land-based manoeuvering targets at long range in adverse weather. The StormBreaker features an innovative multimode seeker that guides the weapon by imaging infrared, millimeter wave radar, and semi-active laser in addition to or with GPS and Inertial Navigation System (INS) guidance. With its multimode seeker and datalink, StormBreaker detects and classifies moving targets in poor visibility situations caused by darkness, bad weather, smoke or dust kicked up by helicopters. StormBreaker's small size lets fewer jet aircraft attack the same number of targets compared to larger weapons that require multiple jets. The SDB II can also fly/glide more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets, thus reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend over or near the enemy.
The StormBreaker programme plans to begin fielding on the US Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet later this year followed by integration on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The SBD II is a joint-interest US Air Force and US Navy major acquisition programme.
Photos / patch: USAF / aviatorgear.com