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.
Lockheed Martin's suggestion to upgrade the F-35 with technologies developed for the F-47 Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter could come in a number of areas, several of which are already in hand.