Navy Declares IOC for SDB II on Super Hornet
•February 20, 2026
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Why It Matters
SDB II gives the Navy a weather‑proof, networked precision strike that reduces sortie count and enhances carrier air wing lethality, reshaping how the fleet engages dynamic targets.
Key Takeaways
- •SDB II achieves IOC on Super Hornet.
- •Tri‑mode seeker enables all‑weather, moving‑target strikes.
- •Networked datalink allows in‑flight target updates.
- •Enhances Super Hornet’s precision‑strike envelope.
- •Reduces platform cost via shared flight testing.
Pulse Analysis
The U.S. Navy’s declaration of initial operational capability (IOC) for the GBU‑53/B Small Diameter Bomb II on the F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet marks the latest milestone in a weapons‑integration effort that began with early operational use in 2025. The StormBreaker’s tri‑mode seeker—combining imaging infrared, millimeter‑wave radar and semi‑active laser—delivers true all‑weather precision, allowing the Super Hornet to engage both stationary and moving targets through fog, smoke or rain. With a standoff range exceeding 40 nautical miles, the munition expands the carrier‑based strike envelope while preserving the aircraft’s payload flexibility.
Beyond raw performance, the SDB II’s two‑way datalink transforms mission planning into a dynamic, real‑time process. Air or ground controllers can upload updated coordinates after release, enabling the bomb to retarget on‑the‑fly and reducing the need for multiple sorties. This capability aligns with the Navy’s push toward network‑centric warfare, where sensor fusion and rapid data exchange dictate tactical outcomes. For carrier air wings, the integration means fewer aircraft are required to saturate a target set, lowering exposure to hostile air defenses and conserving limited carrier deck space.
The StormBreaker’s entry onto the Super Hornet also reinforces the joint‑interest nature of the SDB II program, already fielded on the Air Force’s F‑15E and slated for F‑16C/D and F‑35 platforms. By leveraging flight‑test data from the F‑15E, Raytheon trimmed development cycles, delivering a cost‑effective solution that meets multiple services’ requirements. As the Navy continues to modernize its strike fleet, the SDB II sets a precedent for future precision‑guided munitions that combine multi‑mode seekers, networked guidance and compact form factors, shaping the next generation of carrier‑based lethality.
Navy declares IOC for SDB II on Super Hornet
IOC for SDB II on Super Hornet
The US Navy recently declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Small Diameter Bomb II on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking a significant advancement in the fleet’s precision-strike technology.
The weapon, also known as the StormBreaker, saw its first operational use on the Super Hornet during a limited early operational capability in 2025, proving real-world validation of the bomb’s performance on the platform.
With SDB II, Super Hornets can now engage moving and stationary targets in all weather conditions and rapidly changing environments. The weapon features a tri-mode seeker that integrates infrared, millimeter-wave radar and semi-active laser guidance. This technology allows the bomb to see through fog, smoke and rain. As a network-enabled weapon, it supports in-flight target updates from air or ground controllers, providing increased flexibility during dynamic missions.
“Bringing SDB II to the fleet gives our air crews a reliable way to hit targets in adverse weather conditions,” said Tyler Alt, Navy SDB II program manager, in a NAVAIR news release. “This isn’t just about a new weapon; it lays the foundation for future Super Hornet weapon capabilities to provide the flexibility to update a mission in real time, even after the bomb has been released.”
SDB II is an air-launched, precision-strike standoff weapon that enables the warfighter to defeat moving and fixed targets. It can operate in adverse weather conditions through its tri-mode seeker that employs infrared and millimeter wave radar to see through fog, smoke and rain.
The Navy’s first platform to carry the GBU-53/B
As already reported, the US Navy declared Early Operational Capability (EOC) of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) on the F/A-18 Super Hornet in October 2023.
The F/A-18E/F is the Navy’s first platform to carry the SDB II, giving the aircraft the capability to hit moving targets in harsh weather and address targets in dynamic scenarios. Building off the knowledge of F-15E fielding, Raytheon was able to reduce the number of required flight tests, saving time and resources to provide this capability to the US Navy.
Photos: A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet undergoes weapons testing with the StormBreaker, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II, at NAS Patuxent River, Md.
Two Super Hornet versions—the single-seat E model and the two-seat F model—are in service with the US Navy. Both are true multi-role aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.
The Super Hornet builds on the F/A-18’s reputation as the Navy’s safest and most reliable tactical carrier aircraft, and the Navy has recognized it as a model acquisition program. Since inception, the program has remained on time, on weight and on cost.
StormBreaker
StormBreaker features an innovative multimode seeker that guides the weapon by using an imaging infrared camera, millimeter-wave radar, and semi-active laser in addition to, or with, GPS and inertial navigation system guidance.
StormBreaker’s small size lets fewer aircraft address the same number of targets compared to larger weapons that require multiple jets. It can also fly more than 40 miles to strike moving land and maritime targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.
The weapon has the capability to receive updated target coordinates mid-flight via two-way datalink communications. Using these network options, SDB II allows airborne or ground controllers the ability to send in-flight target updates.
Led by the US Air Force, the SDB II joint-interest program is already operational on the F-15E. It is currently being integrated across other platforms, including the F-16C/D and F-35.
GBU-53/B StormBreaker SDB II
Photo credit: US Navy
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