Small Diameter Bomb II

The Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) Navy Program is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) under the Department of the Navy's Weapons Procurement account, specifically within the Tactical Missiles budget activity. The primary goal of this program is to procure and field the SDB II, also known as the StormBreaker, which provides the warfighter with the capability to attack mobile and relocatable targets in all weather conditions, including through obscurants such as dust, smoke, and fog. The U.S. Air Force is the lead service for the SDB II program, with the Navy as a key partner, reflecting the weapon's joint-service utility.

The objectives of the SDB II program are centered on increasing joint lethality and operational flexibility in contested environments. The SDB II is designed to strike a diverse set of targets inside adversary air and missile defense networks, enhancing the ability to destroy mobile platforms with precision. The weapon's network-enabled capability, increased loadout, extended range, and advanced munitions effects are intended to improve close combat lethality, particularly in complex and dynamic operational scenarios.

Procurement efforts under this line item focus on the acquisition of All Up Rounds (AURs), weapon containers, test vehicles, and production support. The budget request continues the procurement of SDB II AURs to meet Navy warfighter requirements, with a planned buy for the Navy in FY 2026. The procurement also includes containers (one for every two SDB II weapons), Telemetry Instrumentation Kits (TIKs) for fleet training, and initial spares to support fielding and sustainment.

Integration and fielding objectives are a significant component of the program. The SDB II is being integrated onto multiple Navy and joint aircraft platforms, including the F-35B and F-35C (using the BRU-61 bomb rack) and the F/A-18E/F (using the BRU-55 rack). The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the F/A-18E/F is planned for FY 2025, with F-35 IOC following in FY 2027.

The total planned procurement is 29,110 weapons, with 7,500 allocated to the Department of the Navy and 21,610 to the Air Force.

Production sustainment and obsolescence management are also key objectives. The program allocates funds to address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) and obsolescence issues, including bridge buys, life-of-type buys, supplier and parts replacement, and qualification activities. These efforts are intended to preserve future production capabilities and ensure the long-term viability of the SDB II production line.

Support and testing activities funded under this line item include logistics support, production testing, and production support. Interim Contractor Support (ICS) is used to sustain SDB II systems prior to the transition to standard Operations and Maintenance funding. Production testing includes lot integration and test support at the prime contractor's facility, with investments in tooling, test equipment, and software updates to support efficient and reliable manufacturing.

The prime contractor for SDB II production is Raytheon Missiles and Defense, located in Tucson, AZ. The program's acquisition strategy uses a combination of Fixed Price Incentive Fee (FPIF) and Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts to manage procurement. The FY 2026 request also reflects a reduction in Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies, in line with Executive Order 14222 and broader government cost efficiency initiatives.