The testers at Edwards AFB, Calif., have begun integration testing for the use of the Small Diameter Bomb with the F-22 Raptor. The new stealth fighter can accommodate four SDBs and its BRU-61 carriage in each weapon bay for a total of eight small bombs and two Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles. Boeing flight test engineer Jeff Randolph, heading the SDB program at Edwards, says the 250-pound SDB is more practical for use in urban environments than older larger bombs.
The program executive officers for some of the Air Force’s largest acquisition management organizations are struggling to deal with an exodus of senior talent and experienced civilian staff, three of them told an industry conference.
