The State Department in Washington has made a decision approving a possible foreign military sale (FMS) to the Republic of Korea of GBU-39/B – Increment I (SDB-I) small diameter bombs and related equipment for an estimated cost of $111.8 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has issued the required certification, notifying Congress.
The Republic of Korea has requested the purchase of an additional six hundred and twenty-four (624) GBU-39/B (SDB-I) small diameter bombs which will be added to a previously implemented case which was below the threshold for Congress notification. The original case of foreign military sale (FMS), valued at $18.8 million ($15.4 million in Major Defense Equipment (MDE)), included three hundred and eighty-seven (387) GBU-39/B SDB-I bombs.
The Republic of Korea already has GBU-39/B SDB-I ammunition in its inventory.
The main contractor will be The Boeing Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia.
The GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Increment 1
The GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb, or SDB I, is a class of gliding bombs weighing 140 kg, designed to be carried within the holds of the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightninig II fighter jets. This ammunition can also be used by UCAVs and UASs thanks to its reduced weight. The GBU-39B can also be used by the main F-15E, F-16, Tornado and other fighter bombers, in greater quantity instead of the normal drop load.
The SDB-1 is equipped with an inertial navigation system with GPS and a semi-active laser sensor (SALH-Semi Active Laser Homing) for the attack’s final phase for the laser version.
High explosive perforating warheads weighing more than 90 kg are planned. The range is about 60 miles, which in the SDB II version becomes 45 miles to hit moving targets. The SDB I is credited with a CEP of 5-8 meters.
