Munitions

GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence

Also known as
  • GBU-39B MQ-9 integration
  • GBU-39 on MQ-9 Reaper
  • Small Diameter Bomb MQ-9
  • SDB on MQ-9

This scoped GBU-39B record tracks lower-confidence MQ-9 Reaper fielding rather than the full Small Diameter Bomb family. Official 2025-2026 U.S. media show GBU-39B loading and service entry on MQ-9 aircraft through the BRU-78 Dual Carriage System, while the conflict row remains cautious because public sources do not confirm release against Iranian targets.

GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence, Precision-guided glide bomb, Munitions
Image source: AFSOC GBU-39B MQ-9 Service Entry

Role in Conflicts

2020 United States-Iran Conflict
Long-Range Strike

In the 2020 United States-Iran Conflict catalog, this lower-confidence row is tied to CENTCOM Operation Epic Fury media showing GBU-39B bombs loaded on an MQ-9 Reaper; the public source supports MQ-9 fielding, not a confirmed GBU-39B release against Iranian targets.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
Boeing
Type
Precision-guided glide bomb
Service note
2006-present
Designer
Boeing
Designed
2000s
Produced
2005-present

Specifications

Weight
250-pound class; about 268 lb (122 kg)
Guidance
INS/GPS with anti-jam SAASM
Range
Standoff range greater than 40 nautical miles
Warhead
36 lb insensitive munition with penetrating blast-fragmentation
Length
70.8 in (1.8 m)
Wingspan
63.3 in open; 7.5 in stowed
MQ-9 carriage
BRU-78 Dual Carriage System on MQ-9 Reaper
Variants

This page is a scoped MQ-9 fielding entry for the GBU-39B; the broader Small Diameter Bomb I family is covered by the canonical catalog record.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I, 250-pound GPS/INS-guided glide bomb, MunitionsGBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb ICanonical SDB I family record

The linked record covers the wider GBU-39/B service history, specifications, combat use, and non-MQ-9 carrier aircraft.

Sources: USAF GBU-39B Fact Sheet

Carrier Aircraft

The strongest public MQ-9 evidence is integration and loading evidence, while F-15E and F-16 rows preserve broader carrier context already sourced in the entry.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
MQ-9 Reaper, Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Aircraft & UAVsMQ-9 ReaperUnmanned combat aerial vehicle

Official DVIDS and AFSOC releases show GBU-39/GBU-39B loading and service entry on MQ-9 Reapers through the BRU-78 Dual Carriage System.

Sources: DVIDS MQ-9 GBU-39 loading video, AFSOC GBU-39B MQ-9 Service Entry

F-15E Strike Eagle, Dual-role strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-15E Strike EagleStrike fighter

ACC reported that two F-15E Strike Eagles carried the GBU-39/B on the bomb's first combat sortie in Iraq.

Sources: ACC declares small diameter bomb initially operational

F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconFighter aircraft

A National Guard video shows an F-16 assigned to the 416th Flight Test Squadron successfully performing a GBU-39 bomb drop flight test at Edwards Air Force Base.

Sources: National Guard F-16 GBU-39 bomb drop video

MQ-9 Integration Context

The public MQ-9 evidence is strongest for integration and fielding rather than for a named combat release. DVIDS documented a March 2025 Creech load event with two GBU-39s on the MQ-9 Dual Carriage System, and AFSOC later reported spring 2026 service entry for 27th Special Operations Wing MQ-9 Reapers at Cannon.

Carrier

MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.

Carriage system

BRU-78 Dual Carriage System for carrying multiple smaller munitions.

Confidence limit

Sources support fielding and loading, not confirmed release against Iranian targets.

Timeline

GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence Key Events

  1. GBU-39B reaches Air Combat Command IOC

    The Air Force fact sheet and ACC announcement place the GBU-39B's operational entry in October 2006, before later MQ-9 integration work.

    Sources: USAF GBU-39B Fact Sheet, ACC declares small diameter bomb initially operational

  2. First GBU-39 loading on MQ-9 Dual Carriage System

    DVIDS media from Creech Air Force Base shows 432nd Maintenance Group airmen loading two GBU-39s on an MQ-9 Reaper using the aircraft's Dual Carriage System.

    Sources: DVIDS MQ-9 GBU-39 loading video

  3. AFSOC reports GBU-39B service entry on MQ-9 at Cannon

    Air Force Special Operations Command reported that 27th Special Operations Wing MQ-9 Reapers added the GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Weapon System to their operational arsenal in spring 2026.

    Sources: AFSOC GBU-39B MQ-9 Service Entry

Media

GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence Videos

GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence Images

GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence, Precision-guided glide bomb, Munitions - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons Boeing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence, Precision-guided glide bomb, Munitions - view 2
Source: Wikimedia Commons BRU-61+4xGBU-39
GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence, Precision-guided glide bomb, Munitions - view 3
Source: Wikimedia Commons SDB in flight
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Sources

Boeing Small Diameter Bomb Product CardPublisher: Boeing | Note: Manufacturer product card for the GBU-39/B's weight, dimensions, guidance, standoff range, carriage, and UAV-compatible precision-strike design. | Accessed: 2026-06-20USAF GBU-39B Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Official fact sheet for the GBU-39B's 250-pound class, GPS-guided, standoff, low-collateral-damage characteristics. | Accessed: 2026-06-20CENTCOM Epic Fury GBU-39 MQ-9 VideoPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: In 2020 United States-Iran Conflict sourcing, CENTCOM's Operation Epic Fury page showed GBU-39B bombs loaded on an MQ-9 Reaper; because the clip is a loading video rather than a strike report, it only supports lower-confidence fielded by U.S. MQ-9 context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02DVIDS MQ-9 GBU-39 loading videoPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Official public-domain video record for the March 12, 2025 loading of two GBU-39s on an MQ-9 Reaper at Creech Air Force Base, including the first Dual Carriage System load context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02AFSOC GBU-39B MQ-9 Service EntryPublisher: Air Force Special Operations Command | Note: Official AFSOC article supporting spring 2026 service entry on 27th Special Operations Wing MQ-9 Reapers, BRU-78 carriage, MQ-9 precision-strike role, and Cannon Air Force Base image context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs Loaded on MQ-9 B-RollPublisher: Secretary of the Air Force Office of Energy, Installations, and Environment | Note: Official U.S. loading video showing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs loaded on an MQ-9 Reaper at Creech Air Force Base. | Accessed: 2026-06-28AFSOC MQ-9 GBU-39B Loading PhotoPublisher: Air Force Special Operations Command | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force photo of a GBU-39B being lifted toward an MQ-9 Reaper at Cannon Air Force Base; supports the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20ACC declares small diameter bomb initially operationalPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the GBU-39/B's first combat sortie on F-15E Strike Eagles in Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-06-28National Guard F-16 GBU-39 bomb drop videoPublisher: National Guard | Note: Supports the GBU-39 bomb drop flight test from an F-16 at Edwards Air Force Base. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Wikimedia Commons BRU-61+4xGBU-39Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image of a BRU-61 rack carrying four GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs; supports the gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons Boeing GBU-39 Small Diameter BombPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs in flight; supports the gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons SDB in flightPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs in flight; supports the gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20