Even though the production line will close at the end of 2025, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jet, which is the backbone of the US Navy's air power, continues to receive weapons updates. The latest is the news that the Super Hornet is being prepared to be able to launch the GBU-53/B StormBreaker smart bomb produced by Raytheon Technologies (RTX).
Quoted by naval-technology.com (7/11/2023), the US Navy said it would optimize the attack capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with StormBreaker. StormBreaker was initially used on the F-15E fighter jet and is currently undergoing integration testing on the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet.
The US Air Force declared StormBreaker initial operational capability on the F-15E Strike Eagle in 2022, marking its successful integration and performance in an operational context. Currently, all three F-35 variants are undergoing integration testing with StormBreaker,
Leveraging experience on the F-15E, Raytheon claims to be able to simplify the integration process and reduce the number of flight tests required. This approach saves time and conserves resources, allowing the US Navy to utilize StormBreaker capabilities more quickly.
This year, Raytheon Technologies was awarded a contract worth approximately US$320 million for the production and delivery of 1,500 StormBreaker smart weapon systems for the US Air Force. These weapon features provide airmen with the ability to engage targets in challenging and dynamic scenarios, thereby enhancing their operational capabilities.
One of the StormBreaker's standout features is its multimode homing system, which guides the weapon using infrared camera sensors, millimeter wave radar, and semi-active lasers, in addition to GPS and inertial navigation system guidance. This approach ensures a high level of accuracy and adaptability in a variety of operational scenarios.
The StormBreaker's compact size means fewer aircraft are needed to address the same number of targets compared to larger weapons that require multiple jets.
GBU-53/B StormBreaker, previously known as Small Diameter Bomb II. Development began in 2006 for a 250 pound (113 kg) class bomb that can identify and engage moving targets from long distances in all weather conditions.
The GBU-53/B StormBreaker weighs 93 kg, while its length is 176 cm with a diameter of 15-18 cm. The warhead weighs 48 kg and can reach targets as far as 110 km and moving targets as far as 72 km.