Dan Jaspering, Boeing SDB program manager, and Jim Pappafotis, Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control advanced programs director, said there are no lingering legal issues between the two companies over the earlier Small Diameter Bomb contract. Lockheed had sued to have the original program re-competed in light of the Darleen Druyun affair; last fall, however, the two companies teamed to compete for SDB II. There are no requirements that the second weapon be similar to the first version of the SDB, only that it fit on the special bomb rack designed for it. Jaspering said the weapon likely would be assembled at Boeing’s St. Charles, La., facility if the Boeing-Lockheed Martin team wins the contract.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
