The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Raytheon a $282.3 million contract for the production of Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (GBU-53/B) munitions.
The contract, designated as Production Lot 11, includes the manufacturing of all-up rounds and containers. Work will be carried out at Raytheon’s Tucson, Arizona, facility and is expected to be completed by March 19, 2029.
The contract is funded through fiscal year 2025 Air Force missile procurement funds ($220.1 million) and Navy weapons procurement funds ($62.2 million). The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, is overseeing the contract.
The GBU-53/B, known as StormBreaker, is a cutting-edge precision-guided bomb designed to strike both stationary and moving targets in contested environments. Weighing 204 pounds and measuring 69 inches in length, the munition is equipped with a 105-pound warhead and advanced guidance technologies, including millimeter wave active radar, semi-active laser guidance, infrared homing, GPS-coupled inertial guidance, and a secure data-link.
StormBreaker’s precision allows it to hit stationary targets at a range of 69 miles and moving targets up to 45 miles away. Its small size enables aircraft like the F-15E Strike Eagle to carry up to 28 of these munitions, offering unparalleled firepower in missions requiring high accuracy and target saturation.
The GBU-53/B is compatible with multiple platforms, including the U.S. Air Force’s F-15E Strike Eagle, the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and fifth-generation fighter aircraft like the F-35. Its integration requires advanced coordination, including the encryption of communication data between the bomb and the aircraft to ensure operational security.
Raytheon describes StormBreaker as a “transformational weapon” that enhances the ability of U.S. forces to address high-priority ground targets while reducing risks to pilots and ground forces.
The StormBreaker’s modular design and advanced targeting capabilities mark a leap forward in aerial strike technology. As adversarial threats continue to evolve, weapons like the GBU-53/B enable U.S. forces to maintain their edge in modern warfare.