In a development poised to potentially alter the landscape of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Boeing’s Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) is on the cusp of delivery to the Ukrainian military. This long-range precision munition, capable of striking targets up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) away, underwent successful testing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida before its imminent deployment. According to Politico, the weapons could be delivered to Ukraine on the last day of January, 2024.
On January 16, 2024, six GLSDB units were fired during rigorous tests at Eglin Air Force Base. These early morning trials, shrouded in secrecy, focused on evaluating the munition’s accuracy, range, and compatibility with Ukrainian launch platforms like the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The successful completion of these tests, the results of which remain classified, proved crucial in paving the way for the weapon’s deployment.
The GLSDB boasts a unique heritage, born from the combined expertise of two aerospace giants. The weapon leverages the proven capabilities of Boeing’s GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), a highly agile and accurate munition already in service with the U.S. Air Force. To extend the SDB’s reach beyond the realm of aircraft delivery, the team at Boeing partnered with Saab. Together, they integrated the SDB with the M26 rocket motor, creating a hybrid system capable of ground-launch from platforms like the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
This collaborative effort began in earnest in 2015, driven by a growing need for a versatile and precise ground-launched munition with extended range. After meticulous design and engineering, the first test flight of the GLSDB took place in 2019, showcasing its potential.
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