A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft will be able to carry 16 GBU-39/B SDB high-precision bombs after a software upgrade

Although the US Air Force has begun scrapping the A-10 Thunderbolt II at the Warthog flick, the service continues to improve the aircraft. In particular, a software update will allow the attack aircraft to carry more high-precision small-diameter bombs (SDBs) at the same time.

Here's What We Know

The A-10 Thunderbolt II will be able to carry 16 GBU-39/B SDB bombs at once. The US Department of Defence conducted Operation Flight Program (OFP) 11 tests in mid-April and released photos from the tests. The software is responsible for controlling the A-10's avionics and enables the use of the new weaponry.

OFP 11 allows two additional bomb racks to be added to the A-10 Thunderbolt II. In the latest test, one aircraft carried 16 GBU-39/B SDB bombs, while the other was equipped with eight bombs and an outboard fuel tank for extended range.

The Pentagon completed initial tests of additional modules for the A-10 Thunderbolt II last August. The defence agency is now preparing to move on to combat tests of the Warthog, after which the attack aircraft will begin receiving the OFP 11 upgrade. It is expected that the update to equip the GBU-39/B SDB may be released before the end of this year.

The GBU-39/B SDB is a precision air-launched weapon. Small-scale production of the bombs started in 2005. The GBU-39/B SDB is equipped with a combined inertial navigation system, GPS and has laser guidance. The bomb weighs nearly 115 kg (250 lb).

Source: DVIDS