BREAKING NEWS: For first time GBU-53/B glide bomb launched by U.S. F-15E fighter jet controlled by Norwegian P8A aircraft.

According to information published by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense on May 28, 2025, Norwegian Armed Forces achieved a groundbreaking milestone in NATO’s advancement of network-enabled warfare. While the operation was conducted on May 14, 2025, the newly revealed details emphasize a major leap in allied digital integration and precision strike capability. During this historic mission, two GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bombs were launched by US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets off the Norwegian coast. Once released, the bombs were guided in real time by Norwegian personnel aboard a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, who assumed control mid-flight using sensor-driven updates and targeting data from the aircraft’s onboard systems.
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US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle takes off armed with GBU-53/B glide bombs for the first-ever network-guided bomb test controlled in flight by a crew of a Norwegian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. (Picture source: Norway MoD)

The critical and unprecedented feature of this trial was that the American GBU-53/B StormBreaker precision bombs, after being released by the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet, were taken over and guided to target by the crew of a Norwegian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. This was achieved through a secure combat network that received continuous updates from multiple deployed sensors—most significantly, from a Norwegian P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The real-time intelligence from the P-8’s advanced radar, surveillance, and targeting systems provided vital data that enabled Norwegian operators to adjust the bombs’ trajectory, select or reassign targets, and ensure pinpoint accuracy without visual contact from the launch platform.

The F-15E Strike Eagle, a multirole combat aircraft developed by Boeing, is known for its long-range, high-speed strike capabilities and carries a wide range of advanced munitions. In this case, it was armed with the GBU-53/B StormBreaker, a next-generation glide bomb featuring a multi-mode seeker and built-in datalink for in-flight communication. The StormBreaker can detect, track, and strike both stationary and moving targets in all weather conditions, and it can be redirected in flight using updates from external command and sensor platforms.

The Boeing P-8A Poseidon is a multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft based on the commercial 737-800 airframe and optimized for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence gathering, and surveillance. Equipped with a powerful APY-10 radar, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and electronic support measures, the P-8A can detect, track, and classify targets over long ranges and under all weather conditions. In the context of this operation, the P-8A served as a key node in the sensor network, feeding real-time situational data directly into the digital architecture controlling the GBU-53/B munitions. Its ability to maintain persistent airborne surveillance and deliver up-to-the-minute target updates significantly enhanced the effectiveness and flexibility of the guided strike.

The GBU-53/B StormBreaker, previously designated SDB II (Small Diameter Bomb Increment II), is a revolutionary precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon for the United States military. Weighing around 204 pounds and capable of being carried in large numbers due to its compact size, the StormBreaker is designed for multi-environment operations with a tri-mode seeker: millimeter-wave radar for all-weather targeting, imaging infrared for heat signature detection, and semi-active laser for precision guidance on designated points. The bomb is also equipped with GPS/INS for midcourse navigation and a two-way datalink, allowing for in-flight updates and target reassignment.

What makes the GBU-53/B a key enabler in modern warfare is its full integration into network-centric combat systems. Unlike traditional "fire-and-forget" weapons, the StormBreaker is a "fire-and-update" system that can receive real-time intelligence from various allied platforms, enabling dynamic retargeting even after release. It can engage stationary and moving targets, including fast-moving ground vehicles and small boats, under complex battlefield conditions such as bad weather, obscured visibility, or electronic countermeasures. The bomb's glide capability also extends its reach, allowing launch platforms to stay well outside contested areas.

The military value of this capability is profound. By enabling one nation’s forces to control another’s munitions using independent national sensor platforms, NATO achieves a level of operational interoperability and agility that is essential for modern conflict scenarios. This kind of cross-domain integration means that frontline units no longer need to rely solely on their own targeting assets. Instead, they can leverage a shared situational awareness picture compiled from a mosaic of airborne, maritime, and land-based sensors contributed by multiple allied nations.

In the case of the May 14 operation, the Norwegian P-8A Poseidon played a decisive role. Its sensors allowed the Norwegian command network to detect and track targets deep into contested areas while maintaining stand-off range. This sensor data was transmitted directly to the network-enabled GBU-53/B munitions in flight, allowing the bombs to adjust their path to strike moving or newly designated targets with high precision. This capacity dramatically reduces the risk of collateral damage and enhances mission effectiveness in dynamic combat environments.

The ability to guide munitions post-release also enhances platform survivability. Because the launch platform (in this case, the F-15E) does not need line-of-sight or to linger in contested airspace, aircraft can fire from safe distances and immediately egress. This reduces their exposure to enemy air defense systems while still allowing the weapon to adapt to the latest battlefield intelligence. By distributing control of munitions to allied command nodes, such as Norwegian forces on the ground or in air operations centers, the networked architecture ensures resilience and tactical flexibility even in degraded or contested environments.

This event also reinforces the value of NATO’s collective investment in data-centric warfare and cross-platform command systems. The successful control of a US munition by a Norwegian unit using Norwegian sensor data sets a new standard for multinational joint operations. It signifies a shift from platform-centric combat to sensor-to-shooter networks where decision speed, data fusion, and connectivity define combat superiority.

By proving that a live GBU-53/B StormBreaker can be integrated into and guided by NATO’s multinational sensor network, Norway has demonstrated a significant operational milestone that will influence future air-to-ground doctrine across the alliance. This event not only highlights the operational capabilities of Norway’s Armed Forces but also deepens the strategic integration between NATO allies, ensuring readiness for the increasingly complex and data-driven conflicts of tomorrow.