Raytheon Small Diameter Bomb Sale Approved for Australia’s F-35 Fighter Jets

The US State Department has approved a possible sale to Australia of GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II) for US$815 million.

The proposed sale of SDB II supports and complements the ongoing sale of the F-35A to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It will improve Australia’s F-35 survivability and enhance its capability to deter global threats, strengthen its homeland defense and cooperate in coalition defense initiatives.

This capability will strengthen combined operations, particularly air to ground strike missions in all-weather conditions, and increase interoperability between the United States and the RAAF, a US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) release said.

The DSCA delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on September 29, 2017.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of up to three thousand nine hundred (3,900) GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II), up to thirty (30) GBU-53/B Guided Test Vehicles (GTV), up to sixty (60) GBU-53/B Captive Carry Reliability Trainers (CCRT).

Also included in this sale are Weapon Load Crew Trainers (WLCT), Practical Explosive Ordinance Disposal Trainers (PEST), containers, support and ground crew test equipment, site survey, transportation, warranties, repair and return, maintenance, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, AZ.  There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.