Raytheon has announced the successful completion of testing for a ground-launched variant of its StormBreaker glide weapon, a system that, until now, had been utilized exclusively in air-launched configurations. The testing took place at a private range in the Mojave Desert, where the prototype was launched using a commercial off-the-shelf rocket motor.
During the testing phase in the spring, key operational milestones were achieved, including the prototype reaching an altitude of approximately 20,000 feet (6,096 meters). Notably, the design, development, and testing of this new variant were accomplished within a remarkably short timeframe of just 50 days.
Sam Deneke, the president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon, commented on the significance of the development: “Recent global conflicts have highlighted the need for a smart, ground-launched, precision strike weapon that can perform in GPS-contested areas.” He added, “StormBreaker is a composable weapon, which allows it to be customized to meet mission demands. Using the foundational components of air-launched StormBreaker allowed us to move faster than ever before, going from concept to test flight in under two months.”
The ground-launched variant is engineered to target the same objectives as its air-launched predecessor while offering increased range and improved offensive capabilities. Additional testing is slated for 2025 to further refine and validate the system’s performance.
The GBU-53/B StormBreaker, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II, has been characterized by Raytheon as the only network-enabled smart weapon capable of effectively engaging both moving and stationary targets under a range of environmental conditions, including adverse weather, on both land and sea.
One of the key features of StormBreaker is its ability to be deployed from an aircraft, with the control of the weapon being transferred post-launch to another platform, a functionality deemed essential in a Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) environment.
Weighing in at 200 pounds (91 kilograms), the weapon boasts a glide range of over 45 miles (72 kilometers) and utilizes a combination of Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) guidance, allowing for retargeting after launch.
Since entering service in 2020, the air-launched version of StormBreaker has been integrated with multiple platforms, including the F-15E and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and is currently undergoing integration onto the F-35A, B, and C variants. The F-35, in particular, can internally carry up to eight StormBreakers and an additional eight externally, positioning it to engage moving targets in challenging conditions and respond to a variety of threats.
The innovative design of StormBreaker includes a multi-effect warhead that combines shaped-charge jets, fragmentation, and blast effects, with the option for a delayed smart fuse to enhance lethality and effectiveness against various target sets.
