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The US Navy recently declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Small Diameter Bomb II on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking a significant advancement in the fleet’s precision-strike technology.
The weapon, also known as the StormBreaker, saw its first operational use on the Super Hornet during a limited early operational capability in 2025, proving real-world validation of the bomb’s performance on the platform.
With SDB II, Super Hornets can now engage moving and stationary targets in all weather conditions and rapidly changing environments. The weapon features a tri-mode seeker that integrates infrared, millimeter-wave radar and semi-active laser guidance. This technology allows the bomb to see through fog, smoke and rain. As a network-enabled weapon, it supports in-flight target updates from air or ground controllers, providing increased flexibility during dynamic missions.
“Bringing SDB II to the fleet gives our air crews a reliable way to hit targets in adverse weather conditions,” said Tyler Alt, Navy SDB II program manager, in a NAVAIR news release. “This isn’t just about a new weapon; it lays the foundation for future Super Hornet weapon capabilities to provide the flexibility to update a mission in real time, even after the bomb has been released.”
SDB II is an air-launched, precision-strike standoff weapon that enables the warfighter to defeat moving and fixed targets. It can operate in adverse weather conditions through its tri-mode seeker that employs infrared and millimeter wave radar to see through fog, smoke and rain.
As already reported, the US Navy declared Early Operational Capability (EOC) of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) on the F/A-18 Super Hornet in October 2023.
The F/A-18E/F is the Navy’s first platform to carry the SDB II, giving the aircraft the capability to hit moving targets in harsh weather and address targets in dynamic scenarios. Building off the knowledge of F-15E fielding, Raytheon was able to reduce the number of required flight tests, saving time and resources to provide this capability to the US Navy.
Two Super Hornet versions—the single-seat E model and the two-seat F model—are in service with the US Navy. Both are true multi-role aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.
The Super Hornet builds on the F/A-18’s reputation as the Navy’s safest and most reliable tactical carrier aircraft, and the Navy has recognized it as a model acquisition program. Since inception, the program has remained on time, on weight and on cost.
StormBreaker features an innovative multimode seeker that guides the weapon by using an imaging infrared camera, millimeter-wave radar, and semi-active laser in addition to, or with, GPS and inertial navigation system guidance.
StormBreaker’s small size lets fewer aircraft address the same number of targets compared to larger weapons that require multiple jets. It can also fly more than 40 miles to strike moving land and maritime targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.
The weapon has the capability to receive updated target coordinates mid-flight via two-way datalink communications. Using these network options, SDB II allows airborne or ground controllers the ability to send in-flight target updates.
Led by the US Air Force, the SDB II joint-interest program is already operational on the F-15E. It is currently being integrated across other platforms, including the F-16C/D and F-35.
Photo credit: US Navy
Dario Leone: All articles
