USA: The US State Department informed Congress on Wednesday that there are no obstacles to selling Norway a total of 600 glide bombs for their F-35A jets. The contract's total estimated cost is $293 million, which covers both the munitions and maintenance and support.
In accordance with US law, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) distributed the notice. The government in Oslo increased the request from the original $18.9 million for 20 bombs to 580 additional munitions, so it was specified that permission was needed.
The GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bombs-Increment II (SDB-II) All-Up-Rounds (AUR) were the weapon mentioned in the DSCA notice. 'StormBreaker' is the name used by its maker, Raytheon.
The bomb, according to Raytheon, can operate in a semi-autonomous mode and can guide itself to its target using millimeter-wave radar, infrared, and semi-active laser homing. It is designed to be used by the F-35s as well as the F-15 and F/A-18 fighter-bombers when it first enters service in late 2020, though that required a software update in 2022.
Of the 52 F-35s Norway ordered from the US, 37 have already been delivered. Eight StormBreaker bombs can be mounted internally in each aircraft, and 16 more can be mounted on the exterior wings.
Oslo initially placed a July 2022 order for 20 bombs. It was unknown when Raytheon would complete the order or if the munitions had already been made.
Along with the bombs themselves, the contract calls for instructors who will train the Royal Norwegian Air Force in explosive ordnance disposal and how to load weapons, as well as a variety of support and maintenance tools, consumables, spare parts, and accessories, as well as assistance with repair, return, modification, and maintenance.
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According to the DSCA notice, the contract's value is a high estimate, and the actual sum is probably going to be lower "if and when" the sales agreement is actually completed
