The draft RfP for the BLU-137/B Penetrator Warhead, released on 2 December, covers low-rate initial production (LRIP) and four full-rate production (FRP) lots totalling 15,000 bombs.
Intended to be in the same 2,000 lb class of warhead as the BLU-109/B and BLU-109C/B, the BLU-137/B will be procured in an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract running from fiscal year (FY) 2017 to 2021. LRIP will number 1,000 warheads, with the four follow-on FRP contracts numbering 3,500 each and spanning one year apiece. A second IDIQ award may be granted after FY 2021.
No technical specifications for the BLU-137/B were given in the draft RfP, except to say that it is intended to provide improvements in capability and survivability over the BLU-109/B and BLU-109C/B.
The BLU-109/B has a steel casing about 1 inch (25.4 mm) thick, filled with 530 lb (240 kg) of Tritonal. It has a delayed-action tail-fuze. The BLU-109 entered service in 1985. This weapon can penetrate 4–6 feet of reinforced concrete, which is greater than the 3 foot capability of the Small Diameter Bomb.
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