The US State Department has cleared a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Norway involving 816 GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Increment I munitions, in a deal valued at approximately $113 million. This acquisition is expected to significantly strengthen Norway’s precision strike capabilities.
The package goes beyond just the munitions, as it also includes spare parts, technical support, and logistics services to ensure full operational capability. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the proposed transfer will enhance Norway’s ability to address both current and emerging threats while bolstering interoperability with the US and NATO partners.
Boeing has been identified as the principal contractor for the sale, though potential offset arrangements will be determined in later negotiations with the Norwegian government. The GBU-39B, designed for efficiency, uses a smart carriage system that can carry four 250-pound (113-kilogram) precision-guided bombs, maximizing payload effectiveness.
Each bomb features a multi-purpose warhead that provides both penetration and blast/fragmentation effects, making it effective against a wide variety of stationary and high-value targets. With GPS-aided inertial navigation, the weapon can be launched from fighter aircraft or bombers and achieves a standoff range exceeding 60 nautical miles (111 kilometers), providing both precision and operational flexibility.
