US develops ground-launched variant of GBU-53/B Stormbreaker glide bomb to conduct precision strikes without air support.

As reported by AirPower 2.0 on February 26, 2025, the US company Raytheon is advancing towards the development of a ground-launched variant of its Stormbreaker precision-guided glide bomb, with testing scheduled for the upcoming summer. According to Jon Norman, a Raytheon representative, the company is focusing on integrating a propulsion stack (either rocket-based or air-breathing) into the weapon to enable safe operational use while keeping pilots outside of threat ranges. The ground-launched version aims to expand the tactical flexibility of the Stormbreaker, traditionally an air-launched munition, by enabling surface-based deployment.
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The ground-launched variant of the GBU-53/B Stormbreaker precision-guided bomb, scheduled for testing in the upcoming summer, is intended to enhance ground forces' capacity to conduct precision strikes independently of air support. (Picture source: Raytheon)

The Stormbreaker, designated as the GBU-53/B and also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II), is an American air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon. It is designed for all-weather precision strikes against both stationary and moving targets. The weapon weighs 93 kg, measures 1.76 meters in length, and has a diameter ranging from 15 to 18 cm. It features a multi-mode guidance system that combines millimeter-wave radar, uncooled infrared imaging, and a digital semi-active laser. Its GPS/INS navigation system allows for real-time in-flight target updates via Link-16 or UHF communications, enhancing adaptability to evolving mission requirements.

The Stormbreaker incorporates TacNet Data Link (DL) technology, enabling weapon-to-weapon collaboration. This system facilitates Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) to identify and engage tracked or wheeled vehicles. Norman explained that the collaborative targeting functionality allows the weapon to prioritize targets through communication between deployed weapons, improving the efficiency of strike operations by aligning engagements with real-time battlefield data.

The ground-launched variant could enhance ground forces' ability to conduct precision strikes independently of aircraft deployment, with an operational range of up to 111 km for stationary targets and 74 km for moving targets. This capability could be particularly valuable in scenarios where air support is limited or where maintaining aircraft at a safe distance from active threat zones is necessary to ensure pilot safety. The planned tests this summer are expected to provide data on the performance and adaptability of the ground-launched Stormbreaker, supporting Raytheon’s efforts to broaden the weapon's operational scope while preserving its targeting and collaborative strike features.

In parallel with this development, the United States Department of Defense recently increased its order for Stormbreaker guided bombs through an amendment to the existing production contract with Raytheon Technologies (RTX). The amendment, signed on January 31, 2025, expands the order as part of the 11th production batch, adding 360 bombs valued at $84.2 million. The contract is fully funded, with most of the budget sourced from the U.S. Air Force’s finances. Deliveries under this contract extension are expected to continue until July 2028. This amendment follows a previous order from December 2024, valued at $282.4 million, which covered approximately 1,000 units for both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.

Operational testing of the Stormbreaker began in July 2018, achieving a 90% success rate during developmental tests. On November 6, 2023, the U.S. Navy officially certified the Stormbreaker for use on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking it as the first Navy aircraft equipped with this weapon. This integration leveraged experience from its earlier deployment on the F-15E Strike Eagle, allowing Raytheon to reduce flight test requirements and expedite operational fielding. The U.S. Air Force declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Stormbreaker on the F-15E in 2022, with continued integration efforts underway for all three variants of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The weapon is also being deployed on other platforms, including the F-15EX Eagle II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, F-22A Raptor, and F-35. Several thousand units have already been delivered to the Pentagon, with an initial export batch supplied to Australia.