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Boeing awarded GBU-39 bombs contract for Bulgarian, Ukrainian F-16s
The U.S. Air Force recently awarded a contract to Boeing Co., based in St. Louis, Missouri, with a ceiling value of $6.9 billion. This contract is designated for the production of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs Increment One. The final recipients of this ammunition will be Japan, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Covering lots 20-29, the work on this contract is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2035.
The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb [SDB] is a precision-guided small-diameter weapon designed to destroy targets with minimal collateral damage. It weighs about 113 kg and has a length of 1.8 meters, and it can be mounted on various combat aircraft. It is equipped with a GPS/INS guidance system, which provides it with high precision when hitting targets in different weather conditions. The bomb has a small radius of defeat and is effective against fortified targets due to its penetrating warhead.
The GBU-39 has a range of up to 110 km when launched from high altitude, allowing the carrier aircraft to engage targets from a safe distance. In addition, its small size allows aircraft to carry several such bombs on one pylon, increasing the platform’s firepower. The bomb is suitable for both conventional and stealth operations thanks to its minimal radar footprint.
In subsequent years, the GBU-39 has been used in several international conflicts, including Syria and Libya, where allied forces continue to rely on its accuracy and effectiveness. The bomb is integrated into a variety of combat aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F-22, and F-35, making it an essential component of NATO and other partner nations’ air campaigns. Its widespread use demonstrates the weapon’s versatility and ability to meet a wide range of military tasks.
Bulgaria contracted for the delivery of eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets in 2019 as part of the modernization of its air force. This was the first order of fighters of this type for the country, with which Bulgaria aimed to replace the outdated Soviet MiG-29 aircraft.
Ukraine receives approval to supply F-16 fighter jets from several countries as part of Western support in the conflict with Russia. The Netherlands and Denmark are among the first countries to pledge to provide aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force. In August 2023, the Netherlands announced its intention to deliver up to 42 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, depending on the progress of pilot and technical personnel training. Denmark has also committed to providing 19 fighter jets, with the first to be delivered later that year.
In August 2024, Ukraine officially received the first F-16s from Denmark. At the same time, the process of training Ukrainian personnel continues in various countries, including the USA. The F-16 fighters are part of efforts to increase the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force in the face of the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Regarding Bulgaria, the country is looking to renew and modernize its air force, pursuing strategic partnerships with NATO. The delivery of the GBU-39 is a strategic signal to strengthen cooperation between the US and Bulgaria, which is of particular importance in light of the volatile situation in the region, especially Russia.
In the case of Ukraine, the delivery of the GBU-39 is critical to increasing the country’s defense capabilities in the context of the conflict with Russia. The precise and effective strikes that SDB offers can prove decisive in battles affecting key infrastructure targets and enemy military equipment.
BULGARIAN MILITARY