The US Department of Defense has awarded Raytheon a $708.9 million contract to manufacture Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (StormBreaker) systems. The agreement includes the production of all-up rounds, along with test equipment, containers, and spare components.
The systems are slated for delivery to multiple allied nations, including South Korea, Italy, Canada, Germany, Norway, Finland, Belgium, and Switzerland. Production activities will take place at Raytheon’s Tucson, Arizona facility, with project completion targeted for March 2030.
The contract will be managed by the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. This award follows Pentagon approvals in December 2025 allowing Canada to procure small-diameter bombs. In the same year, the United States also cleared similar sales to Poland, Japan, and Romania.
The GBU-53B StormBreaker is an advanced air-to-surface precision munition that combines GPS, inertial navigation, and data link systems to effectively engage both stationary and moving targets. Weighing 208 pounds (94 kilograms), measuring 69 inches (175 centimeters) in length, and up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) in diameter, it enables aircraft to carry a larger number of munitions while minimizing collateral damage.
With a range exceeding 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers), the StormBreaker is currently deployed on the F-15E Strike Eagle. Ongoing integration efforts aim to expand its compatibility to additional platforms, including the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the F-35 Lightning II.
