Air Armament Center news release : Small Diameter Bomb increment I initial production contract awarded

Defense AT&L, July-August, 2005

WASHINGTON -- On April 22, the Air Force announced that the Boeing Company, St. Louis, was awarded an $18.5 million contract for Low-Rate Initial Production of the Small Diameter Bomb increment I (SDB I)--the DoD's miniature munition designed to kill fixed and stationary targets. The announcement follows a successful Defense Acquisition Board Milestone C decision review chaired by the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. The Milestone decision is the culmination of an aggressive 18-month development and demonstration program that came in on time, on budget, and met all commitments made to the warfighter.

The SDB I weapon system consists of a 250-pound class munition, an AF common 4-place miniature munitions carriage system, and associated mission planning and logistics support. The SDB I, designed to be compatible with fighters, bombers, and several UAVs, is capable of significant standoff ranges against fixed and stationary targets. SDB I increases weapon loadout, allowing more kills per sortie than current inventory weapons, decreases collateral damage, and possesses an effective, day/night, adverse weather, stand-off capability. Through planned spiral development, Increment II will step up this capability even further, adding the ability to hit moving target sets. Increment II is poised to begin the competitive bidding process in response to a GAO recommendation.

The SDB I production decision comes on the heels of a development program unprecedented in success both in terms of program execution and testing. Since the program began in August 2001, it has never missed a major schedule event and remains on track to meet its Required Assets Available date of fourth quarter fiscal year 06. One of the keys to success has been a very aggressive test program aimed at driving down risk before commencing with production. The flight test program had over a 90 percent success rate spanning 23 guided flights and successfully demonstrated its capability to destroy realistic targets from ranges significantly greater than the required 40 nautical miles with near precision accuracy.

The Miniature Munitions Systems Group, Air to Ground Munitions Systems Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., manages the SDB I program. Boeing will produce the SDB I leveraging their JDAM production lines at their St. Charles, Mo., facility. Final integration and assembly of the AF/common miniature munitions carriage will take place at the El Monte, Calif., location of Sargent Fletcher Incorporated, a subcontractor to The Boeing Company. The initial production contract is for over 150 GBU-39 munitions, over 25 Air Force common BRU-61/A carriages, and associated spares, trainers and technical support.

For more information call the Air Armament Center Public Affairs Office at 850-882-3931.