The Air Force’s Small Diameter Bomb II program has advanced to the point that is it ready for low-rate initial production, announced manufacturer Raytheon. Reaching the Milestone C threshold, as it is known, came after the Air Force and company completed the decision briefing on the bomb, states Monday’s release. “The Milestone C decision enables us to begin putting this game-changing capability into the warfighters’ hands,” said Col. Kevin Hickman, SDB II program manager. “Achieving Milestone C marks the hard work of the US government and Raytheon teams to verify that we meet or exceed the requirements necessary for a Lot 1 production decision,” added Jim Sweetman, Raytheon’s SDB II program director. The next step before LRIP is for the Pentagon to issue an acquisition decision memorandum validating that the bomb may continue to production. SDB II is designed to attack moving and stationary ground targets in all weather conditions from standoff ranges. (See also SDB II Clears Live Testing.)
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.