Raytheon announces successful test of Ground-Launched StormBreaker

RTX’s Raytheon business announced on 24 September 2025 that it has completed a test for a ground-launched variant of the StormBreaker smart munition: a glide bomb previously known as the Small Diameter Bomb II.

Raytheon says it designed, developed and tested the new variant in 50 days and then tested it “this spring” at a private test range in the Mojave Desert, where a prototype of the new StormBreaker was launched using a commercial off-the-shelf rocket motor. The title of a video loaded on the Raytheon website suggested the test took place on 22 March.

The test, according to Raytheon, achieved key milestones, including the munition reaching an altitude of around 20,000 ft (6,096 m).

StormBreaker uses a tri-mode seeker (millimetre-wave radar, imaging infra-red and semi-active laser) to engage moving and stationary targets all weather conditions, at land or at sea. It is currently approved for use on the F-15E and the F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet and is currently being integrated on the F-35A/B/C.

Raytheon stated that it has invested significantly in independent research and development, capital assets and facilities and the acquisition of subject matter experts to accelerate the development of the Ground-Launched StormBreaker. The new variant covers the same target set as the air-launched StormBreaker with extended range and expanded offensive capabilities.

Additional tests of the weapon will be held throughout 2025.

“Recent global conflicts have highlighted the need for a smart, ground-launched, precision strike weapon that can perform in GPS-contested areas,” Sam Deneke, president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “StormBreaker is a composable weapon, which allows it to be customised to meet mission demands. Using the foundational components of air-launched StormBreaker allowed us to move faster than ever before, going from concept to test flight in under two months.”