Defense Blog: F-35 first tested new GBU-53/B StormBreaker -bomber of the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II. The aircraft will receive a guided high-precision bomb GBU-53/B StormBreaker. This is reported by the Defense Blog with reference to the Raytheon company.
In a press release, the company noted that the GBU-53/B StormBreaker tests on the F-35 were first conducted at the end of 2021. The tests made it possible to work out the integration of the ammunition into the aircraft's systems.
The bomb received an infrared seeker, a semi-active laser and a millimeter-wave radar for targeting. Also GBU-53/B StormBreaker can use inertial guidance system and GPS.
Raytheon stressed that the new ammunition is capable of detecting and classifying moving targets. GBU-53/B StormBreaker can expand the capabilities of fighters in poor visibility.
In June, the United States completed the first phase of testing the Golden Horde semi-autonomous precision weapon system. The F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped six Collaborative Small Diameter Bomb (CSDB) bombs.
In June 2020, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fired the GBU-53/B StormBreaker for the first time. The Forbes publication noted that the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15E Eagle aircraft will first receive the new ammunition. After that, work will begin on integrating the bomb into the F-35 Lightning II arsenal, which will be able to carry 24 rounds of ammunition. Bombs can be controlled within the framework of the Golden Horde program.