The U.S. Navy recently declared initial operational capability for the Small Diameter Bomb II on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking a significant advancement in the fleet’s precision-strike technology.

The weapon, also known as the StormBreaker, saw its first operational use on the Super Hornet during a limited early operational capability in 2025, proving real-world validation of the bomb’s performance on the platform.

The U.S. Navy successfully completed the third and final planned flight test of the Harpoon Block II Update (HIIU) Obsolescence Update program Jan. 16, marking a key milestone in modernizing and sustaining the weapon system.

The Precision Strike Weapons (PMA-201) program office, in partnership with Boeing, conducted the test at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and the Point Mugu Sea Range in California. The event demonstrated a successful Coastal Target Suppression mission against a representative land target, with all test objectives met based on preliminary assessments.

Capt. Sarah Abbott assumed command of the Navy's Precision Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-201) from Capt. Richard Gensley during a formal change of command ceremony held Feb. 27 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)), presided over the ceremony, which was attended by military personnel, civilian employees, industry partners, and family members.

The Navy is set to field the Small Diameter Bomb-II on the F/A-18E/F after declaring Early Operational Capability (EOC) in October.  

The F/A-18E/F is the Navy’s first platform to carry the SDB-II, giving the aircraft the capability to hit moving targets in harsh weather and address targets in dynamic scenarios.

The Navy awarded two contracts to Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin March 27 for the initial development for a carrier suitable long range, high speed missile designated Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO).

The contracts, valued at a total of $116 million, is the first step to fielding a critical capability over the next decade that will address advanced threats and allow the Navy to operate in and control contested battle space in littoral waters and anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments.

The Precision Strike Weapons program office (PMA-201) held a virtual change of command ceremony Feb. 8 where Capt. Richard Gensley relieved Capt. John Dougherty.

During his tenure, Dougherty led a team of more than 700 military and civilian personnel, covering 19 programs of record with a multi-billion dollar budget. He also oversaw the largest international program at NAVAIR with more than 233 active foreign military sale cases.

Pat Brannigan, product support manager for Precision Strike Weapons (PMA-201), earned the Navy’s 2020 PSM of the Year nod for ACAT II and below programs and will represent the department in the run for the Secretary of Defense 2020 Product Support Manager Awards.