“These guided tests were successfully accomplished against separate targets in both moving and static scenarios that included both wheeled and tracked vehicles. The ability to classify targets and make targeting decisions based on that classification is a revolutionary capability possessed by no other weapon or seeker today,” said John O'Brien, Raytheon SDB II Program Director.
During the test, SDB II's tri-mode seeker used sensor data to determine whether the vehicle was wheeled or tracked, aiding in target identification and prioritization. Upcoming live-fire shots will further demonstrate the end-to-end capability of SDB II and its readiness to enter production.
“SDB II will bring game-changing capability to the warfighter. The government and industry team looks forward to the upcoming Milestone C decision, so we can transition SDB II into production and deliver it to the warfighters who need it,” O'Brien added.
Two live fire tests are scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks, which will utilize live warheads and fuzes on the SDB II against tactically representative targets.
SDB II employs Raytheon's unprecedented tri-mode seeker. The new seeker operates in three modes: millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared and semi-active laser. These three modes enable the weapon to seek and destroy targets, even in adverse weather conditions from standoff ranges.
SDB II can strike targets from a range of more than 40 nautical miles, with a dynamic warhead that can destroy both soft and armored targets, while keeping collateral damage to a minimum through a small explosive footprint. The highly accurate SDB II offers warfighters the flexibility to change targets after release through a secure datalink that passes in-flight updates to the weapon.
The DOD has validated SDB II as a weapon that meets a critical warfighter need and has invested more than $700 million in the SDB II program.
