StormBreaker glide bomb for Super Hornets
Raytheon Missiles & Defense has completed the first guided release of a StormBreaker® smart weapon from an F/A-18 Super Hornet, which will become the second fighter jet to add the weapon when the program reaches initial operational capability later this year.
CAPTION: StormBreaker glide bomb. Raytheon image.
StormBreaker program director Cristy Stagg said StormBreaker was the only weapon that enabled pilots to hit moving targets during bad weather or if dust or smoke are masking the area.
“Super Hornet pilots will be able to use poor visibility to their advantage when StormBreaker integration is complete.”
During the US Navy flight test, StormBreaker safely separated from the jet and successfully received guidance data from the plane, enabling it to be directed to its target while in flight.
The air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb features a revolutionary tri-mode seeker that uses imaging infrared and millimeter-wave radar in its normal mode.
It can also deploy its semi-active laser or GPS guidance to hit targets.
The bomb carries a 48kg warhead and can engage movie targets up to 72km away from its release point – or hit static targets at 110km range.
F-15E Eagle was the first platform to add StormBreaker.
It is also being integrated on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
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