The U.S. Department of State has approved the Belgian government’s $115 million Foreign Military Sale request to procure Small Diameter Bomb-Increment II missiles and related logistics and program support services.
Belgium, a NATO ally, asked to buy 196 Guided Bomb Unit-53/B SDB-II all-up-rounds, SDB-II weapons load crew trainers, spare and repair parts, and unclassified software delivery and support, among other products and services. RTX will be the principal contractor for the potential sale.
The GBU-53/B winged munition, which RTX calls StormBreaker, allows users to hit fixed or moving targets more than 45 miles away, even during bad weather conditions and in poor visibility situations, according to the company’s website.
The weapon features a tri-mode seeker with millimeter wave radar, an imaging infrared system and a semi-active laser.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the potential FMS will maintain Belgium’s F-35 fleet in combat-ready status, allowing the country to deter or respond to future threats. Strengthening the military capability of the NATO ally will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States, it said.