Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
Appendix 5: Guided Bombs
GBU-53/B
Copyright © 2024 Andreas Parsch

Raytheon GBU-53/B StormBreaker

The GBU-53/B StormBreaker is Raytheon's winning design for the U.S. Air Force and Navy SDB II (Small Diameter Bomb II) requirement. It enhances the original SDB concept with the ability to attack moving targets. The EMD (Engineering and Manufacturing Development) phase began in 2010, LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production) in 2013, and full production in 2017.

Photo: Raytheon
GBU-53/B


After being dropped from the delivery aircraft, the GBU-53/B extends its wings and glides toward the general target area using its GPS/INS navigation system. It is equipped with a two-way data link for course corrections (if needed) and weapon status updates. For terminal homing, StormBreaker has a triple-mode seeker - MMW (Millimeter Wave) radar, IIR (Imaging Infrared) and SAL (Semi-Active Laser) homing. The warhead is of a multi-purpose type, for use against a large variety of unprotected and armored targets.

Photo: Raytheon
GBU-53/B


The GBU-53/B can be carried in the internal weapons bays of the F-22 and F-35, and externally on the F-15E and F/A-18E/F.

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for GBU-53/B:

Length1.76 m (69 in)
Wingspan1.68 m (66 in)
Diameter15-18 cm (6-7 in)
Weight93 kg (204 lb)
Range?
Warhead48 kg (105 lb) multi-purpose

Main Sources

[1] Raytheon SDB II Factsheet
[2] Wikipedia: GBU-53/B Stormbreaker


Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 5




Last Updated: 11 September 2024