GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II Completes First Control Test Vehicle Flight

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UNITED STATES - 28 APRIL 2009

Raytheon Company launched its first GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II as a control test vehicle (CTV) flight.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E fighter aircraft released the GBU-53/B in flight. After safely separating from the aircraft, the weapon deployed its wings, performed a series of preprogrammed maneuvers and flew to a predesignated position. The mission met all primary test objectives.

"The success of the CTV flight proves Raytheon's GBU-53/B is on track to demonstrate our low-risk entry into engineering manufacturing development," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "GBU-53/B's improved tri-mode seeker represents the most cost-effective, low-risk and highly capable solution for the warfighter to eliminate moving targets in adverse weather."

The seeker on Raytheon's GBU-53/B leverages the company's experience with the proven Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System Precision Attack Missile.

Source: Raytheon Company

 

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Datalink for Raytheon's GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II Ready to Fly
UNITED STATES - 5 JUNE 2009

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed a series of hardware-in-the-loop laboratory tests on the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II's datalink, a crucial step to clearing the datalink for flight tests later this month.

During the tests, engineers verified the Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) datalink worked as anticipated in a variety of demanding circumstances. Because of the GBU-53/B's datalink's performance, engineers will now conduct UHF and Link 16-mode testing of the datalink from a UH-1 helicopter.

"Rockwell Collins brings an excellent technical solution to our GBU-53/B program," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "The datalink is ready for engineering and manufacturing development, making the weapon network enabled for both UHF and Link 16. Additionally the GBU-53/B's datalink can adapt to accommodate future waveforms."

Raytheon is competing for a GBU-53/B engineering and manufacturing development contract, which is scheduled to be awarded in late 2009 with delivery of production rounds beginning in late 2013.


Source: Raytheon Company