[Source/Observer Network, Mountain Cat]
According to a report by The War Zone, a U.S.-based website (TWZ), last Friday (the 25th), an unexploded GBU-53/B Storm Breaker glide bomb (also known as Small Diameter Bomb-II, SDBII) was found in Yemen, raising concerns for the U.S. regarding technical risks.
The report stated that a photo of an SDBII bomb lying on its side in the desert recently circulated on the internet. According to relevant information, this bomb was discovered by residents in the Aslan area of Shabwah Province in southeastern Yemen (some translations refer to it as Al-Shaabwa). It seems that due to the sand cushioning at the impact site, the unexploded bomb remained relatively intact with partially deployed wings, and the nameplate information was clearly visible. It is unclear why the bomb fell there, but the relative integrity suggests it may have been due to a technical failure rather than being directly intercepted and shot down. Although it cannot be determined whether this is the first occurrence of such an incident, it appears to be the first time it has been publicly discovered.
Unexploded bomb in the desert and close-up of the nameplate
Just last month, "The War Zone" reported evidence suggesting that the U.S. had first deployed SDB-II in combat operations against Houthi forces in Yemen. For example, images were released showing Super Hornets taking off from the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The unexploded bomb in the desert confirmed that the weapon had been fired in combat.
Although the location where this unexploded bomb was found is still within the theoretical control range of the pro-American "Southern Transitional Council" in Yemen, the U.S. remains concerned about the possibility of it falling into the hands of the Houthis. The report noted that since SDBII is set to become one of the most important and widely used tactical strike weapons for U.S. aviation forces, not only for the U.S. military but also for many allies, if this "almost intact" bomb falls into the hands of opponents, it will bring "significant technical risks."
A Super Hornet taking off from the "Theodore Roosevelt" with two SDBII bombs hanging under its right wing
The GBU-53/B bomb was developed by Raytheon, starting research in 2006, with its first flight test in 2009, and the initial low-rate production contract signed in 2015. It was planned for use on F-15E, F/A-18E/F, and F-35 aircraft. In addition to the U.S. Air Force and Navy, Finland, Norway, Italy, and Germany also purchased this bomb. The SDBII is equipped with a three-mode guidance system, featuring infrared imaging, millimeter-wave radar, and semi-active laser guidance modes. It has data link antennas on board, allowing communication via onboard datalinks, receiving target updates or modifying targets during flight, and utilizing GPS and inertial guidance for autonomous glide strikes to specific coordinates or search for targets, possessing night and adverse weather combat capabilities. According to U.S. military claims, it can strike fixed targets up to 69 miles (about 111 kilometers) away and mobile targets up to 45 miles (about 72.42 kilometers) away. As a small-diameter precision munition, its main feature is its compact size: 69 inches (about 1.75 meters) long, less than 7 inches (178 mm) in diameter, and weighing only 204 pounds (about 92.5 kilograms). This design allows an aircraft to carry a large number of these bombs simultaneously, striking more targets in a single sortie. However, so far, this type of bomb's mounting brackets have only been found on Super Hornets executing strikes against Houthi forces recently.
GBU-53/B bomb mounted on an F-15E
The report suggested that this bomb is very likely to fall into the hands of the Houthi armed group in relatively good condition. Based on this, it was hyped up that because the Houthi armed group is supported by Iran, which has "extensive strategic ties with China and Russia," the technology of this ammunition might be utilized by some major U.S. opponents, particularly its three-mode guidance system, data link, and navigation module. These could help opponents develop similar ammunition or study how to counteract such weapons. Additionally, other parts of the ammunition, including electronic equipment, compact warheads, and airframe materials, may have significant intelligence value. As a key component of the future U.S. aviation arsenal, especially for the F-35 aircraft, this advanced munition has various high-end functions. The U.S. military relies on it to strike ground equipment, anti-aircraft positions, and surface ships, making its analysis value immense. Although many weapons provided to Ukraine have also been lost in various conditions, none are as functionally powerful as this one. Therefore, the report stated that it would be one of the lethal weapons that "Russia and China most hope to replicate and study" in order to learn how to better defend against them.
The report also mentioned that under normal circumstances, the technical risks involved in deploying new weapons would certainly have been considered by the military. After all, no weapon is flawless, and any weapon entering combat has the potential to fall into enemy hands. Although the Pentagon obviously does not wish to see such a weapon almost intact fall into the hands of their opponent.
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Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498169061327569444/
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