Air Force awards Boeing more than $6 billion for SDB as fiscal year ends

The Air Force has awarded Boeing up to $6.9 billion to produce and deliver its Small Diameter Bomb Increment I precision munitions for the next decade, according to a contract notice posted today.

The firm fixed-price and indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract includes Lots 20 through 29 with work expected to be complete at the end of 2035. Only the Lot 20 award is guaranteed at this point.

When broken down, $147,207 worth of fiscal year 2022 missile procurement funds are being allotted for this award, followed by $2.4 million from FY-23 and $34.3 million from FY-24.

This contract also includes $396.4 million in foreign military sales to Japan, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

The munition, which was first operationally delivered to the service in 2005, has been mostly used to hit stationary targets at an extended range.

“SDB increases aircraft loadout, decreases the logistical footprint, decreases collateral damage, and improves aircraft sortie generation times,” the service wrote in an explanatory document about the weapon. “Its small size allows increased aircraft loadout to achieve multiple kills per sortie and inherently reduces the probability of collateral damage.”

The contract comes as President Biden last week announced nearly $8 billion in military aid for Ukraine to help defend against Russian strikes. He called on the Pentagon to provide Ukraine with additional missiles.