The fielding of the Small Diameter Bomb was no mean feat, requiring the constant coordination of military members and civilians at seven locations working on four separate capabilities—the SDB itself, an advanced display core processor, a joint mission planning system, and operational flight program software. Lt. Col. Ed Offutt, Strike Eagle team leader at Aeronautical Systems Command, says “a phenomenal amount of communication and coordination” enabled USAF to field the SDB eight weeks ahead of schedule. The program also was nearly $27 million under budget. Aircrews and maintainers at RAF Lakenheath, Britain, have been integrating the SDB on the 48th Fighter Wing F-15Es, moving toward first operational use this fall.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.