“We are proud to team with Oto Melara to bring SDB and its precision, low-collateral-damage capabilities to the Italian Air Force,” said Debra Rub, Boeing Weapons vice president.

“SDB has the potential to be the weapon solution of choice for many of our friends and allies around the globe. This agreement lays the foundation for continued growth in the international marketplace.”

Under the terms of the contract, Boeing will provide major SDB I mechanical and electrical components and test equipment for production of 500 tactical weapons, 50 four-place weapon carriages, and associated support equipment.

In addition, Boeing will provide technical assistance in establishing a production facility in Italy. Oto Melara will provide various components and complete final weapon assembly and testing.

“With the SDB I program, we have the opportunity to support again the needs of the Italian Air Force with co-production in Italy. Our decennial relationship with Boeing has had and will have the scope to provide state-of-the-art precision weaponry and to manage directly in Italy all needs of our Italian customer,” said Carlo De Rossi, head of Oto Melara’s Breda Meccanica Bresciana unit.

The SDB I co-production project follows previous joint collaborations between Oto Melara and Boeing, including production of about 1,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits for the Italian Air Force.

SDB I is a 250-pound class, low-cost and low-collateral-damage precision strike weapon. It incorporates a steel case and penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead.

The weapon’s smaller size, coupled with its four-place carriage, enables more weapons to be carried on each aircraft to improve mission effectiveness and reduce the number of sorties required per mission.

Oto Melara SpA is a company of the Finmeccanica Group, Italy’s major defense industry player, and one of the world’s biggest aerospace and defense groups with 73,000 employees and revenue of 15.1 billion euros.

About Boeing Defense, Space & Security

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACT:Tim Deaton, 314-232-5886
Boeing Weapons Communications
timothy.r.deaton@boeing.com

Marcello Bruni, +39-06-4521-7787
Boeing International Communications – Italy
marcello.bruni@boeing.com

Boeing, Oto Melara Sign Contract for SDB Co-production in Italy | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Boeing submitted a proposal to the U.S. Air Force on Nov. 5 for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II program, following the completion of a successful 42-month risk reduction program.

“Our SDB II design offers a new level of capability to U.S. warfighters,” said Debra Rub, Boeing Weapons Programs vice president.

“The Boeing SDB II solution builds on our success with SDB Increment I, and we’re confident it will be the weapon of choice for new and existing military platforms.

We look forward to supporting our Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps customers as the program moves into the next phase.”

SDB II expands SDB I’s capabilities with the addition of an advanced multimode seeker and a two-way data link.

The seeker provides terminal guidance that enables the weapon to detect, classify, prioritize and attack high-value moving targets while retaining SDB I’s ability to engage stationary targets. The data link provides in-flight communication with the weapon.

During the risk reduction program, the Boeing-led SDB II team completed three successful development test flights that demonstrated system performance and verified the weapon’s design and producability.

The team also completed more than 50 captive-carry flight tests of the seeker, data link and guidance system aboard Boeing’s test bed aircraft.

“We have arrived at this milestone with a next-generation weapon system that will play a vital role in helping our warfighters complete their missions. Boeing’s SDB II proposal provides a low-risk solution with the capacity to meet today’s requirements and the flexibility to address evolving threats,” Rub said.

“Whether the situation calls for standoff strike capability or close air support on high-value targets, Boeing’s SDB II is the right weapon.”

Boeing, if selected as the prime contractor on the SDB II program, will provide the air vehicle and system integration, while teammate Lockheed Martin will supply the seeker and key system supplier Harris Corp. will provide the data link.

About Boeing Integrated Defense Systems

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tim Deaton, 314-232-5886
Boeing Global Strike Systems
timothy.r.deaton@boeing.com

Boeing Submits Small Diameter Bomb II Contract Proposal to US Air Force | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.