Flash News: US Air Force B-52H Bombers Conduct First-Ever Live Weapons Drop of GBU-38 Smart Bombs in Sweden.

On March 11, 2025, the U.S. Air Force achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to enhance NATO capabilities by conducting the first live weapons drop of the GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) in Sweden, marking an important step since the country’s accession to NATO. This mission, part of Bomber Task Force Mission VIKING NEBULA, showcased the precision strike capabilities of the U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers, working in tandem with Swedish air and ground forces. It also demonstrated the growing interoperability between U.S. and Swedish forces, further strengthening NATO’s collective defense capabilities in the European theater.
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A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress flies over Sweden during the Bomber Task Force 25-2 mission, VIKING NEBULA, on March 11, 2025. These operations highlight the ability to deploy strategic assets to support global stability swiftly. (Picture source: U.S. Air Force)

The B-52H Stratofortress is a key asset in the U.S. Air Force's strategic bombing capabilities, capable of conducting long-range precision strikes, conventional bombing, and strategic deterrence. The B-52H is equipped to carry a wide array of precision-guided munitions (PGMs), including the GBU-38 JDAM, the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), and other advanced munitions. This versatility allows the B-52H to engage a broad spectrum of targets, ranging from hardened military installations to high-value, time-sensitive targets in complex environments. A key feature of the B-52H is its long endurance, capable of conducting missions lasting up to 12 hours and striking targets at ranges exceeding 8,000 km (about 5,000 miles) without refueling. This makes the B-52H one of the most effective strategic assets for projecting power across Europe and beyond, ensuring that NATO can respond to threats at any location in its area of responsibility.

In a European context, the B-52H can reach key targets within Russia or Eastern Europe, adding strategic depth to NATO’s deterrence posture. It is an essential tool for countering modern, advanced threats, including those posed by peer adversaries with sophisticated air defense systems. The B-52H’s combat capabilities are enhanced by its avionics systems, which allow for precise targeting even in contested environments. It can operate alongside NATO partners, providing long-range strike capabilities that augment the conventional and nuclear deterrence forces of allied nations. The participation of two B-52H bombers in the VIKING NEBULA mission highlights the increasing integration of these aircraft into European defense exercises, underscoring NATO’s readiness and flexibility in responding to emerging threats.

The GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a 500-pound, GPS-guided bomb designed to convert “dumb” bombs into precision-guided munitions (PGMs). The GBU-38 is part of the JDAM family of munitions, which includes the GBU-31 and GBU-32 variants, and is widely used by NATO forces for its accuracy and versatility. Its GPS/INS guidance system allows it to strike targets with pinpoint precision, even in adverse weather conditions or GPS-jamming environments, making it a valuable tool for NATO’s precision strike capabilities.

In terms of its combat performance, the GBU-38 can engage a wide variety of targets, including enemy command centers, air defense systems, and critical infrastructure, while minimizing collateral damage—an increasingly important factor in modern military operations. With a maximum range of up to 15 nautical miles (approximately 28 kilometers) when launched from high altitudes, the GBU-38 provides standoff capabilities that keep the launching aircraft out of harm’s way while still achieving a direct hit on target. The munition's ability to deliver high levels of destruction with minimal collateral damage makes it ideal for operations in urban or densely populated areas, where precision is critical. In the context of the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden, the live weapons drop of the GBU-38 allowed both U.S. and Swedish forces to refine their joint operational techniques, testing the effectiveness of these munitions in the European theater. This operation highlighted the importance of precision strike capabilities, allowing NATO forces to engage targets with enhanced accuracy and reduced risk to civilian infrastructure, which is crucial for maintaining strategic stability in Europe.

The presence of U.S. Air Force bombers, such as the B-52H, in NATO exercises like VIKING NEBULA is of tremendous strategic significance. The ability of U.S. bombers to integrate seamlessly with NATO forces provides the alliance with a robust and flexible response capability to both conventional and hybrid threats. The joint exercises, conducted across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, strengthen NATO’s collective lethality, ensuring that the alliance can quickly deploy and coordinate across multiple domains—air, land, and sea. For example, the integration of Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft in the VIKING NEBULA mission demonstrated the interoperability of NATO’s air forces.

The Gripen fighters, capable of operating in contested environments, provided a robust escort to the B-52H Stratofortresses as they conducted their live weapons drop. This coordination is vital in a high-intensity conflict scenario, where rapid response and the ability to execute joint operations across multiple nations can make the difference between success and failure. Additionally, the use of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) during the exercise further reinforced NATO’s ability to synchronize ground and air assets in real-time. This coordination not only improves the operational effectiveness of precision strikes but also enhances the alliance’s overall capability to conduct integrated combat operations. For example, the U.S. and Swedish JTACs working together during the live drop ensured the munitions were accurately delivered and maximized their operational impact.

The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament, celebrating the one-year anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO. This symbolic act underscored the strengthening bond between Sweden and NATO, highlighting the alliance’s commitment to ensuring the security of its newest member. The successful integration of Sweden into NATO’s air and ground operations, exemplified by this mission, is a critical step in enhancing collective defense capabilities in Northern Europe, particularly in light of increasing security challenges from potential adversaries in the region. Currently deployed with the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, England, the B-52H Stratofortresses continue to execute operations alongside NATO allies, enhancing the alliance's ability to project power globally. Their presence in Europe also serves as a powerful reminder of the U.S. commitment to collective defense, strengthening NATO's strategic reach and ensuring that the alliance remains capable of responding to any emerging threat.

The live weapons drop of the GBU-38 JDAM by U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers in Sweden is more than just a demonstration of U.S. airpower; it is a reaffirmation of NATO’s strategic cohesion and operational readiness. The B-52H Stratofortress, with its long-range strike capability and integration of precision-guided munitions, plays a critical role in ensuring NATO forces are prepared for a wide range of operational scenarios. Exercises like VIKING NEBULA, combining the strengths of U.S. and Swedish forces, not only enhance NATO’s ability to operate effectively across multiple domains but also demonstrate the alliance’s readiness to face any challenges in the European theater. This live-fire mission is a clear signal that NATO remains a formidable force, capable of responding with precision and power to any threat, ensuring peace and stability in the region.