U.S. F/A-18s to receive SDB-1 bombs proven in Ukraine

The U.S. Navy will integrate the SDB-1 small-diameter precision-guided bombs on the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.

This became known from the contract document for the integration of weapons.

The bomb will be installed on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft, which will significantly expand the range of weapons and provide the aircraft with a cheaper and more accurate means of destruction.

Small-diameter SDB bombs are actively used by US combat aircraft. Currently, SDB I is integrated on F-15E, F-22A, AC-130W/J, F-16C/D Block 30/40/50, A-10 and F-35A, and is planned to be integrated on F/A-18E/F, MQ-9, B-1, B-2, B-21 and B-52.

Due to its small size, the aircraft can carry up to four of these bombs on one pylon and with a typical load – up to 16 units.

The Super Hornet deck-based fighters already use second-generation SDB bombs (StormBreaker), which have a more advanced guidance system, including the ability to hit moving targets.

The first-generation bombs do not have this capability, as their guidance is based on an inertial system and GPS, which makes them cheaper than SDB II.

In addition, naval aviation has not previously shown interest in the SDB I, so this purchase will be an additional addition to their bomb arsenal.

In total, more than 50,000 SDB Is were produced, most of which were ordered by the U.S. Air Force, where they were actively used in various operations.

In addition, bombs of this type are actively used by Ukrainian aviation to strike Russian targets.

As part of the Ukrainian Air Force, their carriers are both Western F-16 fighter jets and Soviet Su-27 and MiG-29, which have been spotted with such munitions more than once.

Militarnyi previously reported that the US State Department had approved the possible sale of 400 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) precision-guided aircraft bombs to Romania.