KC-46s Grounded 🚨 Threat of the Day: GBU-39 🚨 Su-57 Stops in Iran

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Edited by: Sidney McAlear

HISTORY OF THE DAY

On October 5th, 2006, the U.S. Air Force deployed the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) in combat for the first time, marking a significant advancement in precision-guided munitions. Designed for low-cost, low-collateral damage strikes, the SDB's compact size and GPS-guided precision allow aircraft to engage more targets per sortie. The innovative BRU-61 carriage system enables four bombs to be carried on a single hardpoint, dramatically increasing payload efficiency. Initially integrated on the F-15E Strike Eagle, the SDB has since been adapted for use on the F-22, F-35, and F-16. In 2012, Boeing delivered the 10,000th SDB, solidifying its role as a key munition in modern aerial warfare.

THREAT OF THE DAY (TOD)…via Wikipedia

Country of Origin: United States
Initial Operational Capability: 2006
Primary Role: Precision-guided air-to-ground munition

Payload: Varies, 36-137lb explosive warhead - Overall, 285lbs
Range: 60+ nautical miles
Propulsion: Unpowered glide munition with deployable wings
Defensive Capability: Low radar cross-section, GPS anti-jamming
Accuracy: 3 feet (1 meter)

Notable Features:
Penetration Capability: Designed to penetrate over 3 feet (0.91 meters) of steel-reinforced concrete, making it effective against hardened targets.
Low Collateral Damage: The SDB FLM variant utilizes a carbon-fiber composite warhead case and advanced multiphase blast explosive to minimize fragmentation, reducing collateral damage in urban environments.
Enhanced Aircraft Loadout: Due to its compact size, aircraft can carry more SDBs compared to traditional munitions, increasing sortie effectiveness.

Variants:
GBU-39/B: Baseline model with GPS/INS guidance​
GBU-39A/B (SDB FLM): Focused Lethality Munition variant with a carbon-fiber composite warhead case and advanced multiphase blast explosive for ultra-low collateral damage.
GBU-39B/B (Laser SDB): Incorporates laser guidance for moving targets​
Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB): Adapted for ground launch, extending operational flexibility

Recent Combat Activity:

• Ukraine Conflict (2024–2025): Integrated on Ukrainian F-16s to strike Russian positions beyond the front lines

• Operation Inherent Resolve: Used against ISIS targets in urban environments due to its precision and reduced collateral damage. (Squadronmate dropped the first off F-16 in OIR)

• Israel-Hamas Conflict (2023): Deployed for precision airstrikes in Gaza

Fun Fact:

The GBU-39 was designed to maximize payload efficiency, allowing four bombs to be carried on a single hardpoint, significantly increasing a fighter’s strike capacity. This means an F-15E Strike Eagle can carry up to 28 GBU-39s at once, offering unmatched precision-strike capabilities while maintaining stealth and standoff range.

FLIGHT LINE

🎯 Air Force Grounds KC-46 Tankers Due to Wing Cracks | The U.S. Air Force has grounded its fleet of KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tankers after discovering cracks in the wing structures of two brand-new tankers. The KC-46 is slated to replace the KC-135 (and KC-10…since it is gone already). The Air Force currently has a fleet of 89 KC-46s.  

🎯 Tensions Escalate Between U.S. and Ukraine Amid Contentious Oval Office Meeting | On February 28, 2025, a highly charged exchange unfolded in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting, initially intended to finalize a mineral resources agreement, devolved into a heated confrontation over differing approaches to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. Full meeting here.

🎯 USAF Conducts Final F-16 Sortie at Luke AFB | The United States Air Force has conducted its final F-16 Fighting Falcon (a.k.a. the Viper) training sortie at Luke Air Force Base, marking the end of an era for the base's F-16 training program. The transition aligns with the Air Force's shift towards fifth-generation aircraft, with Luke AFB now focusing on F-35 Lightning II training operations.​ The first F-16 landed at Luke AFB in December of 1982, with training beginning in early 1983.

🎯 Asiana A350 Crew Warned of Low Altitude on Approach to San Francisco | An Asiana Airlines Airbus A350 crew received a low-altitude warning from air traffic control during their approach to San Francisco International Airport. The aircraft descended below the minimum safe altitude, prompting controllers to issue an immediate correction. The incident is under investigation to determine the factors that led to the altitude deviation.

🎯 B-52 Flies Close to Border of Russia and Belarus | A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress conducted a mission near the borders of Russia and Belarus, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The B-52 was flanked by fellow NATO nations’ F/A-18s and F-35s.

🎯 Russian Su-57 Felon's First Visit to Iran Seen in Satellite Imagery | Satellite imagery has revealed the first visit of a Russian Su-57 Felon stealth fighter to Iran, following its participation in an airshow in India. The aircraft's presence in Iran underscores the growing military cooperation between the two nations and raises questions about potential future collaborations in defense technology.

🎯 High-Power Microwave 'Force Field' Knocks Drone Swarms From Sky | The U.S. Army has successfully tested a high-power microwave (HPM) system capable of disabling drone swarms by emitting targeted electromagnetic pulses. Developed in collaboration with defense technology firm Epirus, the system offers a scalable solution to counter the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare.

🎯 Ukrainian F-16s Enhance Combat Operations Against Russian Forces | The Ukrainian Air Force has effectively integrated F-16 Fighting Falcon jets into its combat operations, employing them to launch precision-guided missiles, deploy GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, and carry ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods. The 131 pod has been used since February 2022.

🎯 Nearly 100 Air Force Academy Cadets Investigated for Cheating | The U.S. Air Force Academy is investigating nearly 100 cadets for alleged honor code violations, primarily cheating on tests.

🎯 Algeria to Receive First Exported Su-57 Fighters in 2025 | Russia has confirmed that the first export deliveries of its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighters are scheduled for 2025, with Algeria identified as the inaugural foreign customer. The Algerian Air Force is set to receive an initial batch of six Su-57E aircraft, marking a significant enhancement of its aerial combat capabilities.

🎯 F-16 Successfully Integrates U.S. Navy Harpoon Missile | The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group's Detachment 3 conducted a groundbreaking test at Nellis Air Force Base, integrating a U.S. Navy Harpoon missile system onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The AGM-84 Harpoon is a long-range, all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile designed to strike surface vessels with high-explosive warheads. With a range of up to 150 nautical miles (278 km) and a sea-skimming flight profile, it provides enhanced maritime strike capabilities against enemy warships and coastal targets.