F 35 Joint Strike Fighter will have a new precision weapon.
StormBreaker, formerly the Small Diameter Bomb II or GBU-53/B , has now entered the
operational test and evaluation phase.
Developmental Testing and the Government Confidence Testing of StormBreaker was completed earlier
this year.
The weapon had achieved a 90% success rate during developmental testing.
The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy have begun StormBreaker bomb integration activities on
the F-35.
Flight test is scheduled in 2019.
Apart from F 35, it will be integrated to F18 Super Hornet aircraft.
Integration on the F-15E Strike Eagle has recently been completed.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes why StormBreaker bomb will be an important addition
to F 35’s weapons?
Let's get started.
The StormBreaker measures 69 inches long, 6 inches in diameter, 68 inches in wingspan,
and weighs 204lb or 93 kg.
Its small size enables them to be carried in more numbers.
F-35 Lightning II, even the STOVL F-35B will be able to carry 8 of these bombs along with
2 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles in the weapons bay.
This means that fewer aircraft can take out more targets.
This will reduce the risk as lesser aircraft are involved in a particular mission and also
cost less to the taxpayers.
Importantly since StormBreaker will be inside the weapons bay and not hooked externally,
F 35 will be able to retain its stealthy profile.
StormBreaker has a maneuverable airframe and deployable wings which provide an improved
stand-off range.
The weapon has a range of 45 miles or 72 km against moving target and 69 miles or 110
km for stationary targets.
The impressive range and flexibility to target moving as well as stationary targets will
greatly improve the lethality of F 35 for grounds attack missions.
The StormBreaker can use a GPS/INS system for initial guidance to move into the general
vicinity of a moving target and then use updates from UHF data link to home in on the target
during the final descent.
Importantly the seeker in StormBreaker has 3 modes for diverse operational scenarios.
1. Millimeter wave radar to detect and track targets through adverse weather conditions
and battlefield dust and debris.
2. Infrared imaging for enhanced target detection through heat signature of the target
3. Semi-active laser that enables it to track an airborne or ground that is illuminated
with a laser designator.
Information is shared seamlessly among all three modes for accurate targeting.
Demonstration of the multi-mode seeker's capability was done during a series of captive flight
tests completed in December 2011.
StormBreaker carries a 105 lb or 48 kg warhead.
The shaped charge ‘plasma-jet’ technology multifunctional warhead in the bomb has both
blast and fragmentation effects.
This means that the bomb can be effective against not only against unhardened structures,
infantry vehicles but also against heavily armored Main Battle Tanks.
The fuze of the warhead can be configured to trigger on impact or at a pre-set height
above the intended target, or in a delayed mode.
The warhead’s capability was first demonstrated during a series of tests in November 2011.
The StormBreaker is seen interest from other countries as well.
The U.S government has approved the sale of 3,900 SDBs to the Royal Australian Air Force
for use on their F-35As.
The Republic of Korea Air Force may also be adding the StormBreaker for use on its F-15K aircraft.
StormBreaker is shaping out well and is expected to play an important role in coming days.