Golden Horde Program drops 1st Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs

Photo By Master Sgt. John McRell | An F-16D Fighting Falcon prepares to drop two Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs at White Sands Missile Range, NM., Dec. 13, 2020. The CDSB is developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, which incorporates a new seeker and gives the bombs the ability to communicate to one another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John McRell)  

UNITED STATES

12.13.2020

Story by Tech. Sgt. John McRell 

40th Flight Test Squadron

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base successfully dropped the first of three tests using Boeings’ modified Collaborative Small Diameter Bomb at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on December 13th, 2020.

The Golden Horde Program being developed by the Air Force Test Center and Air Force Research Laboratory looks to use the CSDB as a proof of concept to show the bombs can work together. The CSDB is modified that when dropped as a pair, the bombs can communicate to each other data using a mesh network. A mesh network allows various devices to link together branching off each other allowing the signal and network to spread further.

“The Golden Horde demonstration with the small diameter bomb is an important step on the path to Networked Collaborative Weapon systems, ” said Chris Ristich, director of AFRL’s Transformational Capabilities Office. "Completion of this first mission sets the stage for further development and transition to the warfighter."

Two more test drops will be conducted, expanding the capabilities of the CSDBs each time. The next drop will include four bombs and AFRL hopes to have accomplished all test objectives by early 2021.

• Date Taken: 12.13.2020
• Date Posted: 10.28.2021 15:42
• Story ID: 408246
• Location: US