Navy misses goal to field SDB Increment II on Super Hornet in FY-20

The Navy missed its goal to field the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet by 2020, Jeff Hannay, SDB II lead, told Inside Defense in a statement.

"The planned fielding dates for SDB II on F/A-18E/F was impacted by test range and aircraft availability as well as COVID related travel and test support restrictions," Hannay said. "The Navy is working to provide this capability to the fleet as soon as possible."

The SDB II is currently undergoing integration testing on the F/A-18E/F, the completion of which will depend on test resource priorities, Hannay said. Fielding and the initial operational capability declaration will follow the conclusion of testing, he said.

"Laboratory tests, ground testing, and a series of flight tests have been successfully completed," Hannay said.

Super Hornet testing with the SDB II took place on the Atlantic Test Range in 2020, Hannay said.

Raytheon won a $93 million contract to integrate the SDB II with the Super Hornet in July 2018. The Navy is taking delivery of the SDB II from Raytheon as planned, Hannay said.