SDB increases capability of RAAF F-35A
The capability of the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35A Joint Strike Fighters has quadrupled since the introduction of the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), according to the government.
Introduced into No 3 Sqn in June 2019, the SDB Increment 1 (SDB1) weapon is a 16kg weapon guided by GPS-aided inertial navigation, utilising so-called ‘diamondback’ wings that deploy after release to provide greater stand-off range, and four bombs are fitted to new bomb release unit racks before loading on the aircraft.
‘We’ve got a next-generation bomb to go with our fifth-generation fighter,’ Wg Cdr Simon Bird, chief engineer at the Aerospace Explosive Ordnance Systems Program Office (AEOSPO) – Explosive Materiel Branch, said on 16 August.
‘Where you used to carry one JDAM [joint direct attack munition] in a position on the aircraft, SDB1 allows you to carry four bombs that each achieve very similar effects. Although at 285lbs the SDB1 is lighter than a 500lb JDAM, it’s highly accurate and packs a more powerful, modern explosive.
‘SDB1 is also designed to penetrate harder targets, or can fuse above ground to create area effects.’
Some 15 armament technicians from No 3 Sqn received familiarisation training on the bombs ahead of planned test firings due to take place in the coming months.
AEOSPO’s engineering, logistic and technical staff ensured introduction of the weapons and their delivery, which is a milestone towards the F-35A’s initial operational capability in 2020.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)
More from Defence Notes
-
![Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”]()
Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”
The returning US president also reiterated a commitment to supply the services with “made-in-America” capabilities and to end conflicts worldwide.
-
![Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force]()
Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force
It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
![Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west]()
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
