U.S. Clears $111.8M Precision Bomb Sale to South Korea

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $111.8 million sale of precision-guided bombs to South Korea, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Friday.

The proposed sale covers 624 additional GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, a 250-pound, satellite-guided weapon designed to strike tanks, bunkers and reinforced aircraft shelters with accuracy.

The principal contractor will be The Boeing Corporation. The proposed transaction is subject to U.S. congressional approval.

The GBU-39 was developed to give aircraft the ability to carry more munitions while reducing blast radius and unintended damage. After release, fold-out wings extend, allowing the bomb to glide more than 60 miles, with some profiles exceeding 68 miles when dropped from altitude. This standoff range allows aircraft to remain farther from surface-to-air threats.

The weapon uses GPS and inertial navigation guidance, with target coordinates uploaded before launch. Its guidance system is integrated into the bomb during production and includes anti-jamming features to counter electronic interference.

Since entering service in 2006, the GBU-39 has been produced in three main variants. These include the baseline GBU-39/B with a penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead, the GBU-39A/B focused lethality version designed to reduce collateral damage, and the GBU-39B/B laser-guided version for engaging more dynamic targets.

The current variant is capable of destroying hardened structures such as bunkers and shelters. It can be carried on internal bays or external pylons, allowing fighters and bombers to carry higher weapon loads, reduce logistics demands and shorten follow-on strike timelines.

The bomb has limits. Its smaller warhead is less effective against deeply buried targets, and its reliance on GPS guidance exposes it to potential electronic warfare. These constraints led to development of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker, which uses a tri-mode seeker for moving targets in poor weather.