Raytheon, US Air Force Complete Latest Series of SDB II Test Flights

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Air Force concluded a series of test flights with the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) culminating in direct hits on targets moving at operationally representative speeds. Earlier supporting tests were performed in a multitude of different environments and scenarios, key to maturing seeker algorithms and validating the weapon's aerodynamic performance. All test flights helped reinforce the system's capability to satisfy a critical warfighter need."These successes are the latest in a series of test flights demonstrating Raytheon's readiness to progress the SDB II program to the System Verification Review and Milestone C," said John O'Brien, SDB II program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "These tests showcase the game-changing capability of Raytheon's tri-mode seeker to detect, track and engage moving targets in adverse weather."SDB II can hit targets from a range of more than 40 nautical miles. It has a powerful warhead capable of destroying armored targets, yet keeps collateral damage to a minimum through a small explosive footprint. It is highly accurate and offers warfighters the flexibility to change targets through a datalink that passes inflight updates to the weapon.About SDB IISDB II See full press release