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The US Navy appears to be utilizing “StormBreaker” glide bombs against Houthi forces in Yemen.
Recently, what seems to be one of these guided munitions was discovered half-buried in the Yemeni sand.
The intact remains of such a weapon pose a potential risk of exploitation by US adversaries, particularly Iran.
Reports indicate that US fighter jets are employing advanced “StormBreaker” precision glide bombs as part of an extensive bombing campaign targeting the Iran-affiliated Houthis.
An image circulating on social media this Thursday showed a US-made bomb in Yemen’s southern Shabwah governorate, appearing unexploded and partially buried.
Trevor Ball, a former explosive ordnance disposal technician with the US Army, identified the munition as the GBU-53/B StormBreaker. He emphasized that the bomb’s condition, being intact, raises significant safety concerns: it may fall into the wrong hands.
The GBU-53/B, known as the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II, is a cutting-edge air-launched weapon featuring precision guidance and deployable wings. Manufactured by Raytheon, now RTX, this 200-pound bomb is compatible with carrier-based F/A-18E/F Super Hornet jet fighters.
This weapon is designed to engage both moving and stationary targets, equipped to function under inclement weather. Notably, it can receive updated target coordinates mid-flight, enhancing its operational flexibility.
In October 2023, the Navy confirmed its early operational readiness for the StormBreaker, declaring that the Super Hornets would be the initial platforms implementing the bomb.
US Central Command, responsible for overseeing military operations in the Middle East, released video footage last month that reportedly showcased the StormBreaker among various ordnance aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, actively participating in the Houthi conflict.
The War Zone was the first to report on the discovery of the StormBreaker in Yemen, noting evidence of its first combat use last month.
The appearance of the StormBreaker suggests that it was not downed by air defenses, raising concerns about unexploded ordnance becoming accessible to hostile entities. A defense official did not comment on the incident, remaining tight-lipped about further details.
Ball, who now works as a researcher at Armament Research Services, highlighted the potential for Iran, a longtime supporter of the Houthis, to reverse-engineer the StormBreaker if acquired.
Ball stated, “The Iranians are notorious for reverse engineering weapons systems and creating their own versions. Acquiring such munitions allows Iran to enhance its capabilities.” This technology could potentially benefit Russia, given their growing defense ties with Iran since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
Although the StormBreaker was reportedly discovered in a region of Yemen not controlled by the Houthis, Ball warned that unexploded munitions could ultimately be seized by Iranian forces. He emphasized that the risk increases with more extensive airstrike campaigns.
He added that this danger extends to other munitions, such as the AGM-158, which the US has utilized against the Houthis.
The AGM-158, also known as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), is a stealthy, long-range cruise missile produced by Lockheed Martin. Both the JASSM and StormBreaker are classified as standoff weapons, allowing aircraft to release them from a safe distance, bypassing Houthi air defenses, unlike conventional bombs.
The US is also reportedly deploying the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), along with various advanced munitions, in its efforts against the Houthis.
The US has conducted continuing airstrikes against the Houthis for an uninterrupted six weeks, aiming to curb their attacks on vital shipping routes in the Red Sea. Notably, military officials have disclosed limited information regarding this relentless campaign, although it has been previously acknowledged that a significant strike on a Houthi-controlled oil terminal occurred last week, resulting in numerous casualties.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted on Thursday that hundreds of Houthi targets have been attacked since the onset of the campaign, significantly impacting their leadership. Despite this, analysts have raised concerns regarding the long-term effectiveness of airstrikes, referencing previous instances where strikes failed to diminish the rebels’ operational capabilities; notably, the Houthis launched missiles at Israel just a few days ago.
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