GBU-53/B StormBreaker

Development of the GBU-53/B, previously designated the Small Diameter Bomb II, commenced in 2006. The program originated from a requirement for an air-launched munition capable of identifying and striking mobile targets from standoff distances in all weather conditions. The first flight was announced on May 1, 2009. Following a development period that included a 2012 flight test against a moving target at White Sands Missile Range, the system received Milestone C approval in May 2015. Low-rate initial production began in June 2015.

The GBU-53/B is a precision-guided glide bomb utilizing a tri-mode seeker for target acquisition. This seeker integrates millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared, and semi-active laser homing. During the initial search phase, the weapon employs GPS/INS guidance, with course updates provided via a Link 16 over UHF data link. The system is capable of fusing sensor data to classify and prioritize targets when operating in semi-autonomous modes. The payload consists of a shaped charge warhead designed for both blast and fragmentation effects. This warhead is intended for use against infantry, armored vehicles including main battle tanks, unhardened structures, and naval craft. The munition is designed for high-capacity carriage; strike aircraft utilize specialized carriage systems, such as the pneumatic BRU-61/A or the BRU-55, to carry multiple units on a single weapon station.

The United States Air Force approved the GBU-53/B for operational flight on the F-15E Strike Eagle in October 2020. The United States Navy declared early operational capability for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in October 2023. Integration is also planned for the F-35 Lightning II. The first recorded combat use occurred in March 2025, when F/A-18 Super Hornets from the USS Harry S. Truman deployed the weapon during strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The system is operated by or ordered for the armed forces of the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Norway, Germany, Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom.