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.
Sticker Shock Drags Out USAF’s E-7 Negotiations with Boeing
April 18, 2024
While a deal on the E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management jet may come soon, negotiations are stuck on the high price Boeing is asking for the development jets, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said recently.