The Air Force awarded Raytheon a $31 million contract to launch Small Diameter Bomb II low-rate initial production, the company announced June 16. The fixed-price contract option provides funding for a total of 144 SDBs under LRIP Lot 1, as well as 156 single weapon containers, eight weapon trainers, and for explosive ordnance disposal trainers, according to the Pentagon’s June 12 list of major contracts. SDB II was cleared for LRIP after reaching milestone C last month. The second-generation SDB incorporates a new tri-mode seeker head combining millimeter-wave radar, imaging infrared, and semi-active laser guidance. The system allows the weapon to more accurately distinguish targets, strike moving targets, and perform in adverse weather conditions. Raytheon will produce SDB II at its Tucson, Ariz., facility and plans to complete delivery by May 2017.
The U.S. sent Air Force F-16s over central Syria in a show of force following the Dec. 13 killing of two U.S. Army Soldiers and one American civilian interpreter by a gunman linked to the Islamic State group.
