Nichols Martin
Raytheon has manufactured the first batch of precision bombs designed to help U.S. Air Force pilots recognize targets at a range of more than 40 miles.
The company said Wednesday it completed lot 1 Small Diameter Bomb II production and received follow-on contracts to produce the next two lots.
“SDB II does much more than hit GPS coordinates; it detects, classifies and engages targets,” said Mike Jarrett, vice president of Raytheon’s air warfare systems business.
Jarrett added the weapon will also work to help airmen reach new targets when integrated onto the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft platform.
The bomb employs a millimeter wave radar-based seeker technology along with infrared and laser guidance systems and receives target updates via a two-way datalink, Raytheon noted.
SDB II weapons are manufactured at the company’s production facility in Tucson, Arizona..
