Raytheon awarded $450 million contract for SDB II program from U.S

Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $450,827,357 contract to provide engineering and manufacturing development phase of the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II) program (nomenclature, Guided Bomb Unit-53/B). SDB II is a joint Air Force and Navy program. The SDB II will initially be integrated on the F-15E, F-35B and F-35C aircraft. At this time, $23,500,000 has been obligated. Miniature Munitions, AAC/EBMK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. The U.S. Air Force selected Raytheon Company's GBU-53/B for the Small Diameter Bomb increment II program. The SDB II is an air-launched, precision-strike standoff weapon that will enable the warfighter to defeat moving and fixed targets in adverse weather conditions. The $450 million contract calls for Raytheon's GBU-53/B to begin engineering manufacturing development. Delivery is expected to begin in 2013 with a required assets available date in late 2014. "Raytheon proved we can provide the warfighter a low-risk, affordable solution that meets their needs," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "A versatile weapon that is simple to employ, Raytheon's GBU-53/B can be integrated on all required aircraft and fully meets the load-out requirements for all versions of the fifth generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's internal weapon bays." Raytheon's GBU-53/B incorporates an improved seeker that features three modes of operation: millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared and semiactive laser. "Raytheon's innovative use of an uncooled IIR seeker met all the warfighter's requirements and reduced the weapon's total life-cycle cost and logistics footprint," added Dr. Lawrence.