Norway is set to advance its precision strike arsenal after the US State Department approved a potential sale of 816 GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Increment I munitions, estimated at $113 million. The deal includes not only the bombs but also spare parts, technical services, and logistics support, ensuring sustained readiness.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency emphasized that the acquisition would improve Norway’s ability to counter evolving threats while strengthening integration with US and NATO forces. Such interoperability is viewed as a critical element in collective defense planning across the alliance.
Boeing has been designated as the prime contractor, with offset negotiations to follow. The GBU-39B employs a compact and efficient carriage system, enabling aircraft to carry four precision-guided 250-pound munitions instead of a single larger bomb. This capability allows for increased strike density per sortie.
Equipped with a multi-role warhead capable of penetrating hardened structures or creating wide-area blast effects, the weapon is highly adaptable for diverse missions. Guided by GPS-aided inertial navigation, the SDB can be deployed from both internal and external aircraft stations, achieving a range of over 60 nautical miles (69 miles/111 kilometers). This provides Norway with a cost-effective and flexible precision strike option for its modern air fleet.
