The Guided Bomb Unit (GBU)-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) enhanced F-22A air-to-ground combat capability by significantly increasing the number of targets while simultaneously permitting greater standoff engagement range. This four year, $25 million modernization developmental test effort incorporated several new capabilities and included store certification via loads, separations, and guided testing. In addition to the first ever supersonic SDB delivery, notable achievements included releases from up to 50,000 feet and 1.72 Mach against targets over 70 nautical miles down range. Since the SDBs are carried internally, the dynamics associated with supersonic releases are complicated by shock transient effects that ultimately impact safe separation and subsequent guidance. The separations phase of this certification is summarized with a focus on bomb rack ejector settings and roll-rate instability issues. Nomenclature α = angle of attack VEOS = velocity ejector end of stroke Nz = normal load factor
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