It was fielding new software for the Small Diameter Bomb Increment I to upgrade system capabilities, U. S. defense contractor Boeing said on Thursday.

The Small Diameter Bomb Increment I is a 250-pound, precision-strike weapon that has a steel-cased penetration blast-fragmentation warhead.

It was fielding Block 09 software for the SBD I to update its operational concept, Boeing said.

His company was working with the U. S. Air Force to transform the SBD I from a long-range standoff weapon into one that works well for close air support, Dan Jaspering, director for direct attack weapons at Boeing, said.

It was also noted that the size of the SBD I allows aircraft to carry more of the weapons and thereby reduces the number of sorties required for U. S. Air Force missions.

The software upgrade minimizes flight time for the SBD I so the weapon can reach its target faster.

The upgrade doesn't change the physical make up of the weapon or its carriage, Boeing further said. (With Inputs from Agencies)