GBU - 53 / B The GBU - 53 / B Small Diameter Bomb II is an American air - launched , guided bomb . Development was started in 2006 for a class bomb that can identify and strike mobile targets from standoff distances in all weather conditions . It will be integrated on the F - 15E and F - 35 Joint Strike Fighter . Its first flight was announced on May 1 , 2009 . The bomb is being developed by Raytheon . A Boeing / Lockheed Martin team attempted to develop it but lost in a U . S . Air Force competition . Boeing won the original competition but the project was on hold for several years due to a corruption scandal involving Darleen Druyun . The competition was reopened in September , 2005 . Usage . The bomb uses GPS / INS system to guide itself into the general vicinity of a moving target during the initial search phase , with any necessary course correction updates provided using a Link 16 or UHF data link . The bomb has three modes of target acquisition : millimeter - wave radar , uncooled imaging infrared , and semi - active laser . The weapon is capable of fusing the information from the sensors to classify the target and can prioritize certain types of targets as desired when used in semi - autonomous mode . The shaped charge warhead in the bomb has both blast and fragmentation effects , which makes it effective against infantry , armor ( including MBTs ) , unhardened structures and buildings , as well as patrol craft sized boats and other soft targets . The bomb would be the first purpose - built no - drive zone enforcement weapon . The use of uncooled imaging infrared has been cited as innovative and effective in reducing costs . An important feature of the new weapon is the maximization of the number of the bombs carried by the strike aircraft . A total of 28 GBU - 53 / B can be carried by the F - 15E Strike Eagle utilizing 7 BRU - 61 / A suspension units , each carrying 4 bombs , and eight bombs along with two AIM - 120 AMRAAM missiles in the weapons bay of the F - 22 Raptor or the F - 35 Lightning II ( even the STOVL F - 35B ) . The bomb is being tested using F - 15E aircraft and a UH - 1 helicopter . History . The original Small Diameter Bomb ( SDB ) was developed by Boeing and made for non - moving targets . The SDB II is designed to destroy moving targets in dust and bad weather . The Raytheon version was deployed successfully in 26 missions over 21 days . Raytheon was awarded the contract in August , 2010 . The North American division of MBDA continues to produce the wings . The Raytheon contract is worth US $ 450 million . Boeing announced that it would not protest the Raytheon award . Testing . On July 17 , 2012 , the SDB II successfully engaged and hit a moving target during a flight test at the White Sands Missile Range . The bomb was dropped from an F - 15E Strike Eagle , then acquired , tracked , and guided itself onto a moving target using its tri - mode seeker , scoring a direct hit . In January 2013 , four SDB IIs were loaded into the weapons bay of an F - 35 Lightning II alongside an AIM - 120 AMRAAM missile . The successful fit check validated that the SDB II was compatible with the F - 35 and gave adequate clearance in sweeps of inboard and outboard bay doors . Planned deployment . The United States Air Force plans to use the bomb on the F - 15E Strike Eagle s as a no - drive zone enforcement weapon . The U . S . Navy and U . S . Marines plan to use it on their versions of the F - 35 Joint Strike Fighter . Delivery for the first batch is planned for late 2014 . Government requirements specify a 2016 delivery date .