Representatives of the US Department of Defense stated that GLSDB will be provided to Kiev as part of the USAI – Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. This means that the Pentagon must sign a contract for the production of these munitions.

“Ground-based guided bombs will give Ukraine the ability to fire at long ranges, allowing it to conduct operations to defend its country and return its sovereign territory in Russian-occupied areas,” said Patrick Ryder, Pentagon press secretary.

The GLSDB (Small Diameter Launched Bomb) is a small-caliber land bomb with a range of 150 km. It is a joint development of Boeing and SAAB and is still being refined as of 2019. The bomb has “wings” that open in the air, allowing you to significantly increase the damage radius.

GLSDB is a GBU-39 aerial bomb launched at altitude using a jet engine. The “smart” projectile uses both the inertial system and satellite GPS navigation to guide the target. When pointing with GPS, the deviation from the setpoint is about one meter. There is a laser beam targeting option with an accuracy of up to half a meter. At the same time, the use of a bomb modification with a laser head requires “illumination” of targets, which can be carried out both from the ground and from drones such as Bayraktar or Puma. The latter is also mentioned in the same February American aid package.

During a talent demonstration in 2017, GLSDB hit a moving target 100 kilometers away. Tests conducted in 2019 showed that the bomb was able to successfully hit naval targets at a distance of 130 kilometers.

The ground grenade can be launched from mobile artillery and salvo systems such as Himars or MLRS-M270 already in Ukraine.

These munitions will help the Armed Forces strike the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula, which Russia uses to base its air force and navy.

GLSDB is very difficult to detect and stop. A cruise grenade uses a jet engine only in the initial phase of flight and only for climbing. Ammunition spreads its wings in the future and plans the target. Since the bomb does not use a motor when approaching the target, it does not create a thermal trace to be captured by infrared-tipped anti-aircraft missiles. And its compact size makes this bomb almost invisible to radars. However, if the bomb is still detected by radars, the flying bomb can maneuver and even fly around effective air defense zones. For example, a guided munition may fly behind the front line, turn 180 degrees, and strike from behind in an unexpected place.

Western military experts say the munitions are most effective for hitting airfields where Russian helicopters and planes are based. Such bombs can also be used against certain buildings, armored vehicles, firing points and enemy air defense systems.

According to SAAB, the glide grenade can overcome radio interference and can be used in all weather conditions.

GLSDBs can become a pretty serious problem for occupants. The US can supply these munitions to Ukraine in bulk. This is due to their relatively low cost. For the price of one ATACMS missile, the Armed Forces can buy 25 GLSDB guided bombs. After all, an MGM-140 ATACMS missile costs about $ 1 million, while the GLSDB costs only $ 40 thousand. This will be the first export and first combat use of the GLSDB complex in the world.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the GLSDB is currently the longest-range weapon that the Western allies offer us. However, this may be a “warm-up” before the delivery of ATACMS missiles.

Bohdan Tuzov, Kyiv

Infographics Oleksandr Shingur