The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Norway of Small Diameter Bomb II and related equipment for an estimated cost of $293 million. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Norway has requested to buy up to 580 GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bombs-Increment II (SDB-II) All-Up-Rounds (AURs) to be added to a previously implemented case. The original foreign military sales (FMS) case, valued at $18.9 million, included 20 GBU-53/B, SDB-II AURs. This amendment will increase the MDE and total case values above notification thresholds and thus requires notification of the entire case. Therefore, this notification is for up to 600 GBU-53/B, SDB-II AURs. The total estimated cost is $293 million.
Norway will use this ammunition to support its new F-35A fleet. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, AZ.
GBU 53/B is an American air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb with a 69-mile operational range.
