Although its production is approaching its planned end in 2027, this does not mean that the United States Navy is not continuing to integrate new combat capabilities into its F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, the primary workhorse of the force’s carrier-based aviation. This has been demonstrated by the confirmation that the new Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II; also designated StormBreaker) glide bombs have reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the platform.
Developed by the U.S. company Raytheon Technologies, the SDB II is one of the most modern glide bombs introduced into the arsenal of the United States Armed Forces, as well as among several allies that have confirmed their intention to incorporate it into their combat aviation.
As previously reported by Zona Militar, following multiple authorizations issued by the Department of State for its potential sale to third countries, the StormBreaker “… employs a tri-mode seeker with infrared imaging and a millimeter-wave radar that can see through fog, smoke, and rain, capable of gliding more than 72 km,” adding that the bomb “… allows options to ‘add propulsion’ or ‘change the seeker’ depending on the mission, being capable of being launched from one platform but controlled from another. In addition, it can be used to attack and destroy enemy armored vehicles.”
Currently, the United States Air Force is advancing its integration across various combat aircraft, most notably the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bombers, which already employ it, while integration testing is also underway to incorporate this air-to-ground strike capability into the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
In the particular case of the U.S. Navy, the service has been progressing with its integration and certification on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters over the past several years, achieving various milestones. As confirmed by the service itself in early 2025, the bomb has already seen limited combat use, which has now been complemented by the recent confirmation that it has achieved Initial Operational Capability with the carrier-based fighter.
More specifically, the information was confirmed by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on February 19, highlighting that with the SDB II, “… Super Hornets can now strike both moving and stationary targets in all weather conditions and in rapidly evolving environments. The weapon features a tri-mode seeker integrating infrared guidance, millimeter-wave radar, and semi-active laser. This technology allows the bomb to ‘see’ through fog, smoke, and rain. As a network-enabled weapon, it supports in-flight target updates from airborne or ground controllers, providing greater flexibility during dynamic missions.”
“Bringing SDB II to the fleet gives our aircrews a reliable way to hit targets in adverse weather conditions,” said Tyler Alt, United States Navy SDB II program manager. “This is not just about a new weapon; it lays the foundation for future Super Hornet weapons capabilities that will provide the flexibility to update a mission in real time, even after the bomb has been released.”
Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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