The GBU-53/B “StormBreaker” precision glide bomb, developed by Raytheon, is expected to be produced in Tucson, Arizona from June 2027. The US Air Force plans to spend $320 million to equip about 1,500 units, capable of attacking moving targets on the ground regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
The bomb has been licensed for use on the F-15E strike aircraft, but is also in the process of being integrated into the Super Hornet fighter and the F-35 stealth aircraft.
State-of-the-art navigation technology
The GBU-53/B is equipped with a “tri-spectral” seeker, offering a choice of laser guidance, an uncooled infrared seeker, and a millimeter-wave radar, all mounted on the same mobile anti-vibration device in the nose.
These sensors are used in combination to improve the bomb's accuracy or individually if one of them is disabled by countermeasures or degraded performance in adverse conditions such as smoke, fog or rain. According to the manufacturer's announcement, the bomb has an average error of only about one meter.
While gliding toward its target, the bomb’s sensors also allow it to function as a reconnaissance system, providing sensor data for use in locating additional targets or updating mission plans. It can even be directed to seek out specific enemies, using its infrared system to classify potential targets and send back recommendations for human operators to approve or reject. This technology enhances the survivability of the launch aircraft by allowing it to “fire and forget.”
Furthermore, the GBU-53/B is equipped with GPS jammers and inertial guidance, and can receive course corrections from aircraft or other ground forces via a two-way data link. This opens up the possibility of re-directing the attack once the bomb has left the launch pad.
Tool to set up “no-drive zones”
This new guided weapon is compact in size, weighing only 92.5kg/unit, with a diameter of 17.7cm but equipped with sophisticated technology. European missile manufacturer MBDA is the unit that produces the guidance fins that pop out from the bomb when launched.
When launched from maximum altitude, glide bombs can hit moving targets up to 45 miles away or stationary targets up to 69 miles away, meaning they can be used outside the range of short-range air defenses and even lower-end medium-range systems. For close-range targets, the bomb uses a “spiral” trajectory.
With a 105-pound (47.6 kg) multi-purpose warhead, the GBU-53/B is effective against targets ranging from main battle tanks to infantry, fortified buildings and patrol boats. The bomb’s low error rate against moving targets means it can enforce a “no-fly” zone on the ground equivalent to a no-fly zone.
Integrating all options into one weapon would streamline logistics by eliminating the need to load multiple weapons onto a single fighter for various contingencies.
In addition, the manufacturer also proposed adding a rocket engine to extend the range of the GBU-53/B. In that case, this glide bomb could become a cheap guided missile to attack air defense systems or high-value mobile targets from medium distances.
In September 2020, the US Air Combat Command approved the use of the GBU-53/B on the F-15E Strike Eagle, jet fighters capable of carrying 28 “Stormbreaker” bombs per sortie.
Meanwhile, the US Navy is integrating the new guided weapon onto the FA-18E/F Super Hornet jet on aircraft carriers. In addition, this type of bomb is also being considered for testing on F-16 fighters, AC-130W fighters, MQ-9 combat drones, F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, A-10 attack jets and B-52, B-1 and B-2 heavy bombers.
(According to PopMech)
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