StormBreaker is ready for action
USAF Air Combat Command gives green light for F-15E Strike Eagles to carry the weapon
F-15E Strike Eagle multirole fighters are set to carry the compact GBU-53/B StormBreaker precision-guided glide bomb, after the weapon was approved for use by the USAF Air Combat Command.
Paul Ferraro, VP of the Air Power business in Raytheon Missiles & Defense, claimed in a 13 October statement that StormBreaker ‘delivers an unprecedented capability’ with its ability to strike maritime or land-based mobile targets at about 65km range in poor weather conditions.
StormBreaker includes a tri-mode seeker that uses imaging IR and millimetre-wave radar in its normal mode. The weapon can also deploy a semi-active laser with GPS and INS guidance to hit targets.
‘With its multimode seeker and datalink, StormBreaker will make adverse weather irrelevant,’ said Cristy Stagg, programme director at Raytheon.
The weapon will next be fielded on USN F/A-18E/F Super Hornets following guided release tests earlier in 2020, and it will also be installed on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force]()
M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force
The Leonardo M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer (HET) basic/advanced trainer is similar to the M-346, which is the second part of the Italian Air Force’s training system, but is a substantially smaller and less powerful aircraft.
-
![Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025]()
Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025
The first aircraft delivery timeline confirmation comes as Belgium weighs up an additional F-3A buy from Lockheed Martin.
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution
The solution, named HTeaming, has already been tested in flight with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
