The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has received the first batch of GBU-39 small diameter bombs (SDB) from the US.

Developed by Boeing, SDB is a 250lb bomb capable of high-precision and low-collateral-damage strikes.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The IAF has acquired the new bomb, named Sharp Hail, at a cost of $77m, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The weapon can carry 22.7kg of explosives, and its small size increases the number of bombs an aircraft can carry and the number of targets it can attack in a sortie.

The GBU-39 can be used in adverse weather and has a stand-off range of more than 110km due to its pop-out wings.

The IAF’s F-15Is, which can carry 20 of the bombs on its wings and fuselage, will be the first planes to have the GBU-39.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


Excellence in Action
Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

Discover the Impact