Small Diameter Bomb II Program Achieves Milestone C Clearing the Way for Production

 Raytheon Company and the U.S. Air Force successfully completed the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) Milestone C decision briefing, paving the way for the program to enter low rate initial production.

SDB II is an all-weather solution that continues to provide precision even in limited visibility scenarios.

Unlike standard bombs, SDB II employs Raytheon’s revolutionary tri-mode seeker that operates in three different modes:

        millimeter-wave radar

        uncooled imaging infrared

        semi-active laser.

SDB II can strike targets from a range of more than 40 nautical miles, with a dynamic warhead that can destroy both soft and hard targets. The bomb can also change targets in-flight through the use of a secure datalink.

"The Milestone C decision enables us to begin putting this game-changing capability into the warfighters’ hands," said Col Kevin Hickman, USAF SDB II program manager. "The ability to strike moving targets with extreme precision in adverse weather reduces an aircrew’s time in harm’s way and limits collateral damage in the battlespace."

The Milestone C achievement follows a successful functional configuration audit, production readiness review and system verification review. Milestone C will lead to a positive acquisition decision memorandum validating the preparedness of the company and the weapon system to continue to production.

"Achieving Milestone C marks the hard work of the U.S. government and Raytheon teams to verify that we meet or exceed the requirements necessary for a Lot 1 production decision," said Jim Sweetman, SDB II program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "SDB II’s unique capabilities help ensure that our warfighters maintain their unfair advantage in the fight."

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