StormBreaker is ready for action
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
-
NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability moves ahead with development contracts
The Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme is a transnational effort across NATO to replace a range of helicopters which are expected to begin retiring from the mid-2030s.
-
Boeing to upgrade software for KC-46A tanker
The KC-46A upgrades will improve the platform’s mission readiness, performance in challenged airspace and rapid deployment capabilities.
-
Teledyne FLIR promotes ITAR-free Star SAFIRE imaging payload at FIA
The Ultraforce 380-HDc, launched at Farnborough International Airshow, builds on Teledyne FLIR’s successful Star SAFIRE family of systems and is aimed at both the military and security markets.
-
Dutch and Austrian governments collaborate on Embraer C-390 acquisition at Farnborough
The two nations will split the acquisition of the C-390s to boost their airlift capacities.