The most effective weapons in the world are seldom the most powerful solutions or the most
technologically advanced devices; instead, it is often the armament system that can
be produced affordably and reliably, which can change the fate of a war.
Under such a perspective, the United States, Saab, and Boeing recently joined forces in an
unprecedented operation to unite two of their most efficient, time-proven, and affordable
weapon systems and merge them into something capable of shaping the future of modern warfare.
The idea is to take the raw power, precision, and compact size of the GBU-39B air-to-ground
missile and the reliability and mobility of the HIMARS missile launcher platform to create
a formidable new ground artillery solution whose parts are already in mass production.
The missile has been part of the US Air Force arsenal for almost two decades,
while the HIMARS redefined the concept of mobility and efficiency in ground artillery
armament. By combining the two, the weapon manufacturing collective promises to bring
affordable and reliable new solutions to the world's most brutal conflicts.
The weapon is now being rushed to the Ukrainian battlefront, where it will be tested in combat
for the first time while boldly taking massive aerial firepower to the ground…
A Perfect Match
Recent conflicts like the Russian invasion of Ukraine have shown that being able to
support allies in battle with massive quantities of affordable weapon systems
capable of offering protection to extensive territories is as important as delivering
a few highly technologically advanced weapons that cannot be broadly deployed.
But affordability is not the only reason to pursue the creation of weapon systems based
on already widely-available technology; training is also a crucial factor.
The Ukrainian forces are mostly unfamiliar with the most advanced Western armament systems.
Even if they could be delivered to them in large numbers,
the training infrastructure needed to make them effective would take too long to develop.
Nevertheless, the problem has been directly addressed by the
United States in collaboration with the Saab and Boeing corporations,
which had to develop what they call the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb or GLSDB system.
Such a system takes advantage of low-cost, previously demilitarized armaments such
as the multi-launch rocket system booster by marrying it with a small-diameter bomb air-launch
platform. The result is what the coalition calls: (QUOTE): "A revolutionary product."
The new system's main advantages are its affordability, ease of use, and availability.
Moreover, the weapon offers a wide array of tactical combat features
that make it stand out in the current market.
In addition, the GLSDB integrates the air-to-ground GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
and the M26 rocket motor, widely available in US stockpiles, and is equipped with GPS guidance,
can overcome electronic interference, and can be utilized in any weather condition.
According to Saab's website, it can defeat armored vehicles, launch attacks against
air defense bunkers and caves, and has a margin of error of less than one meter.
The system is unique in that it combines a long range with the capability to fire up to
six weapons simultaneously. In addition, it has a new ground artillery feature,
enabling it to target any angle, including those on the reverse slope of mountains.
This is a significant breakthrough, as one of the weapon's developers explains:
(QUOTE) "The enemy today is trying to stand behind mountain's sides and things like that
to avoid being engaged by ballistic missiles that can only do one type of engagement."
But the GLSDB does not have that limitation, which means no matter how the enemy positions itself to
protect its assets from artillery attacks, it will be fair game for the new glider missile.
From the Factory to Ukraine
The GLSDB system has been proven effective and safe during its testing phase; however,
the weapon has not yet been utilized in combat scenarios.
That is about to change as the United States is making everything in its power to rush
the affordable and devastating missile solution to its eastern European ally.
As of February of 2023, the United States intended to
send more than two billion dollars worth of military aid to Ukraine.
More than half of that money would go into the newly created Ukraine Security Assistance
Initiative or USAI, which gives President Joe Biden's administration the ability to
acquire weapons for Ukraine directly from the arms industry rather than from American weapons stocks.
The USAI funds will be used to purchase the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb
produced by Boeing and Saab. Apart from its multiple angles of attack,
the weapon has a range of 94 miles, allowing Ukraine to target previously inaccessible targets
and support its counterattacks by disrupting Russian forces deeper within its territory.
After the United States declined Ukraine's requests for the ATACMS missile on several
occasions by claiming that its almost 200-mile range would risk escalations with Russia,
the GLSDB is expected to be an ideal solution that will allow Ukraine
to extend its operational artillery range without risking more tensions.
While the US and most European countries continue to be hesitant in providing Ukraine
with more advanced weapons capable of reaching further into Russia, the GLSDB appears to be
a formidable compromise that significantly expands Ukraine's reach and ability to defend
itself without overstepping the often hazy line that would lead to more conflict with Russia.
Shot up, Glide Down
The GLSDB is designed to be launched by already widely used ground-based missile
systems such as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System and M142 HIMARS.
The HIMARS is a simplified, less armored version of the M270,
which is much more mobile, light, and affordable.
The Ukraine forces have at least 15 operational M270 MLRS and over 20 HIMARS provided by the US.
With another 18 HIMARS currently in production and expected to be delivered soon to Ukraine,
the missile system is highly familiar to Ukrainian troops and has been used with lethal efficiency.
As such, adding the GLSDB to its roster of guided munitions will significantly
enhance what the Ukrainian military can do with its available artillery systems.
After the projectile is launched by the HIMARS system, its newly incorporated M26
rocket motor takes over to deliver the bomb as close to its target as possible. As it cruises,
the navigation system allows it to be navigated around obstacles like mountains and known anti-air
defenses, contrasting traditional artillery that follows a parabolic arc toward its objective.
Once above its target, the bomb uses its air-to-ground features to accurately
glide down to its target and even reposition itself to engage the objective from different
angles of attack. This capability negates the protection of mountainsides and rough geography.
The relatively cheap solution is expected to deliver significant
advantages to the Ukrainian military.
At the moment, the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System or GMLRS is Ukraine's longest-range weapon,
with a range of roughly 48 miles. The GLSDB has a more considerable range of 94 miles,
which would essentially double the reach of Ukrainian artillery from one moment to the next.
As wartime technology evolves, more projects such as the GLSDB
can be expected to appear as the world demands an effective and affordable
solution that can be developed out of already available components.
Only time will tell how this new development will reshape the future of how wars are fought…
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