Raytheon commenced LRIP deliveries of the GBU-53/B in 2015. The U.S. Air Force maintains a procurement objective of 12,000 GBU-53/B weapons; the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps expect to procure an additional 5,000 StormBreaker weapons.

The GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb is becoming a hot item on the international market. Early in the program, the U.K. Ministry of Defence showed a great deal of interest in the SDB. Most customers for U.S. air-delivered precision-guided munitions will be eager to leverage the capabilities of the SDB. Boeing is now replenishing GBU-39/B SDB I weapons expended by U.S. operations, as well as filling export orders.

The Forecast International Weapons Group expects additional orders for the GBU-39/B SDB I. As with the SDB I, we do not anticipate significant export deliveries of the GBU-59/B StormBreaker until initial U.S. Department of Defense requirements are filled.

Source:  FI Report, Small Diameter Bomb
Author: D. Lockwood, Weapons Systems Analyst 

Raytheon commenced LRIP deliveries of the GBU-53/B in 2015. The U.S. Air Force maintains a procurement objective of 12,000 GBU-53/B weapons; the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps expect to procure an additional 5,000 StormBreaker weapons.

The GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb is becoming a hot item on the international market. Early in the program, the U.K. Ministry of Defence showed a great deal of interest in the SDB. Most customers for U.S. air-delivered precision-guided munitions will be eager to leverage the capabilities of the SDB. Boeing is now replenishing GBU-39/B SDB I weapons expended by U.S. operations, as well as filling export orders.

The Forecast International Weapons Group expects additional orders for the GBU-39/B SDB I. As with the SDB I, we do not anticipate significant export deliveries of the GBU-59/B StormBreaker until initial U.S. Department of Defense requirements are filled.

Source:  FI Report, Small Diameter Bomb
Author: D. Lockwood, Weapons Systems Analyst 

Political parties are advocating revisions to Japan’s pacifist constitution. Presently, these parties hold more than two-thirds of the seats in Japan’s diet. The Liberal Democrats see a "counterstrike capability" as constitutional if in response to evidence of an imminent enemy attack.

Japan wants to deploy more than 1,000 long-range cruise missiles. An extended range version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile could meet part of this need. In addition, Japan could purchase the U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile.

Source:  Stars & Stripes
Associated URL: Click here to visit
Author: Seth Robson & Hana Kusumoto