Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb
Boeing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
TypeSurface-to-surface missile
Production history
DesignerBoeing & Saab Group
Specifications
Mass600 lb (270 kg)
Length12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)
SDB length is 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Diameter9+1⁄2 in (240 mm)
SDB packed height is 7.75 in (197 mm)
SDB packed width is 7.5 in (190 mm)[1]
Wingspan5 ft 3.3 in (1.61 m)
7.5 in (190 mm) packed[1]
WarheadFragmentation multipurpose warhead
Warhead weight93 kg (205 lb)[2][3]
Explosive fill: 16 kg (35 lb) AFX-757 Insensitive munition certified PBX[3][4][2][5]
Penetration: greater than 3 ft (0.91 m) of steel reinforced concrete[6]
EngineM26 rocket motor
Operational
range
150 km (93 mi)
Guidance
system
GPS supported INS
Accuracy3 ft 3 in (1 m) CEP
Launch
platform
ReferencesJanes[7][8]

The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) is a weapon developed by Boeing and the Saab Group to allow Boeing's GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), originally developed for use by aircraft, to be ground-launched from a variety of launchers and configurations. It combines the SDB with the M26 rocket, enabling it to be launched from ground-based missile systems such as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System and M142 HIMARS.[9][10] It can also be fired from its own launch container, allowing it to be fired from sea.[11]

Design

Boeing, in partnership with Saab, developed an "inter-stage adapter" to connect the SDB to an M26 rocket.[12][13] Also providing expertise are two Norwegian companies, Nammo (booster rocket)[14] and Nordic Shelter (launchers).[15][10] The advantage of the M26 is that there is an abundant stockpile of these rockets.[16][17] Production of these rockets ceased in 2001, when 506,718 rockets had been produced.[18] As of 2004, 439,194 remained in total inventory. By 2007 the army was paying to destroy them.[19] The original ordnance carried by the M26 did not meet the terms of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (not signed by the United States).[14] Although the GLSDB can be launched from either MLRS or HIMARS, it also comes with its own launcher, which resembles a nondescript 20-foot (6.1 m) shipping container, making it easier to create decoys and more difficult for the enemy to locate and target.[20][21] After the rocket motor launches it to a high enough altitude and speed, the SDB separates from the rocket and the wings deploy, allowing the bomb to glide to its target.[12] The GLSDB carries a smaller warhead, with about one-third less explosives than is delivered with the existing GMLRS, depending on the type[17] (16 kg (35 lb)[22] vs 23 kg (51 lb)[23]). The company believed it could fill a gap for long-range precision fires while using its smaller warhead to save larger rocket munitions for strategic targets. While typical rockets from multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) follow a ballistic trajectory, the rocket-launched SDB can be launched to altitude and glide on a selected trajectory.[24][12] Twelve M26 rockets at a time can be launched from MLRS, six at a time from HIMARS.[25]

Boeing and Saab Group conducted three successful GLSDB tests in February 2015. The system utilizes an existing weapon paired with a stockpiled rocket motor, while maintaining the loadout on a rocket artillery system. Unlike traditional artillery weapons, the GLSDB offers 360-degree coverage for high and low angles of attack, flying around terrain to hit targets on the back of mountains, or circling back around to a target behind the launch vehicle. The GLSDB has a range of 150 km (93 mi), or can hit targets 70 km (43 mi) behind the launch vehicle.[26][27][28] According to Saab, it is accurate to within one meter. [29] The weapon can be set to detonate above the ground or with a delay for deep penetration,[13] and is resilient to electronic warfare jamming,[13] which has been used extensively by Russia in eastern Ukraine since March 2014.[30]

In a 2017 demonstration, the GLSDB engaged a moving target at a distance of 100 km (62 mi). The SDB and rocket motor separated at altitude and the bomb used a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker to track and engage the target.[31] A 2019 test extended this range to 130 km (81 mi) against a target at sea.[11] The laser-guided SDB had previously been tested successfully using targets travelling at 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).[32]

The cost is undisclosed; however the SDB used in GLSDB has a cost to the U.S. military of about $40,000,[16][33] with the accompanying M26 rocket coming from obsolete inventory. The amount to be allocated to each GLSDB of the cost of the "inter-stage adapter", the cost to develop a launcher-container, and the other GLSDB development and production costs of Boeing and Saab is unknown.[34] For comparison purposes, the cost of a single M31 missile is estimated at $500,000,[17] though this may be the "export price", always higher than the amount charged to the U.S. army.[35] According to the U.S. army's budget, it will pay about $168,000 for each GMLRS in 2023.[36][37] The GLSDB is being offered to Ukraine as a long distance alternative to the 300 km (190 mi) ATACMS missiles,[38][39] which have a price per unit estimated to be well over $1 million.[40] The other long distance alternative is the 250 km (160 mi) Storm Shadow missiles,[41] each of which is estimated to cost around £2 million ($2.5 million,[42] fiscal year 2023). The U.K. has agreed to supply these to Ukraine.[43] The purpose in developing the weapons was to offer poorer countries the strike capacity of more expensive and advanced air forces. Jim Leary, director of global sales for Boeing, told reporters in 2019: "It really fits across a broader customer set because we’re taking an existing capability, maximizing it and creating an opportunity [for countries] that don't have the ability to have a robust air force."[25]

Use in combat

On 3 February 2023, the United States government announced an aid package for Ukraine as part of assistance during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine that would include the GLSDB, which can be launched out of existing Ukraine-operated HIMARS or MLRS launchers (or out of its own launcher) to hit Russian targets that had been moved out of GMLRS range. The GLSDB almost doubles the range that Ukraine could previously target with these launchers (150 km (93 mi) vs 85 km (53 mi) with GMLRS).[44][18] This "will put all of Russia's supply lines in the east of [Ukraine] within reach, as well as part of Russian-occupied Crimea", according to Reuters.[45]

According to Saab the glider will be more difficult to intercept since it can be programmed to approach a target from any direction, and from a variety of angles.[17] Unlike conventional artillery that follows a predictable path from launch to destination, the wings and navigation ability of the GLSDB allow it to evade obstacles and anti-air defenses by steering around them, even approaching from the target’s rear.[46][12] Also, because the GLSDB is a glider it has little IR signature, making it a poor target for IR homing missiles such as MANPADS.[47] This will mark the weapon's first export and use in combat. When originally announced it was estimated that it might take up to nine months to develop a ground-launched version but Boeing announced that it could possibly be delivered as early as spring of 2023.[48][49][50][51]

On 30 March, Taiwanese media reported that Taiwan has deferred purchasing GLSDB so that it could be sent to Ukraine. This was done at the request of the United States. The weapon has only entered "initial mass production stage" in 2023.[52] The narrowest part of the Taiwan Strait is 130 km (81 mi; 70 nmi) wide,[53] within the range of the GLSDB and making it more difficult for the PLA to assemble an amphibious force to invade Taiwan.[54]

On 22 June, Laura Cooper told Congress that because of delays caused by development and production issues, Ukraine would receive GLSDB missiles "no earlier than autumn".[38]

On 14 October 2023, Boeing said that the GLSDB will be delivered to Ukraine by winter.[55] On 30 November, it was reported that the delivery has been postponed to early 2024.[56]

Operators

Future operators

Potential operators

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB)". Army Technology. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 Shulgin, Dmitry (14 March 2015). "GLSDB". Modern weapons. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Boeing Backgrounder" (PDF). Boeing. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Pike, John (14 May 2023). "Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB)". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  5. ↑ GALLET, Matthieu (30 December 2020). "Boeing GBU-39/B SDB". AviationsMilitaires.net (in French). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  6. ↑ "Small Diameter Bomb". Boeing Canada. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  7. ↑ Hughes, Robin (14 October 2019), "AUSA 2019: Boeing, Saab conduct long-range GLSDB firing", Janes Missiles & Rockets, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 3 February 2023
  8. ↑ Janes (3 February 2023), "M142 227 mm (6-round) High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)", Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 3 February 2023
  9. ↑ "Boeing, Saab Adapt Air Launched Small Bomb for Ground Launch". Boeing. 10 March 2015. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  10. 1 2 Selinger, Marc (1 November 2022). "Saab expects first contract soon for new GLSDB artillery weapon". Janes. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Saab and Boeing Conduct Successful Test Firing of Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb". Saab. 14 October 2019. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Boeing Developing Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb". Defense News. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 Newdick, Thomas (28 November 2022). "Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb Would Double Ukraine's Precision Strike Range". The Drive. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  14. 1 2 Hoyle, Craig (16 June 2015). "PARIS: Boeing, Saab test ground-launched small diameter bomb". FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "Nammo and Nordic Shelter join GLSDB team". Shephard. 2 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  16. 1 2 Stone, Mike (28 November 2022). "Exclusive: 100-mile strike weapon weighed for Ukraine as arms makers wrestle with demand". Reuters. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Korshak, Stefan (4 February 2023). "EXPLAINED: Ukraine to Get New Long-Range GLSDB Missiles – What Happens Next?". KyivPost. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  18. 1 2 Colonel Joe Russo, CO 14 Marines (May 2018). "Long-Range Precision Fires" (PDF). Marine Corps Gazette: 40. Retrieved 8 April 2023.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ "Cluster Munition Ban Policy - Reports". The Monitor. 24 November 2020. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Detsch, Jack (12 January 2023). "Pentagon Balks at Sending Ukraine Long-Range Bombs". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023.
  21. ↑ Hardie, John; Bowman, Bradley (19 December 2022). "Send the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb to Ukraine". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  22. ↑ "Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb" (PDF). Boeing. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  23. ↑ "Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary Warhead". General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. 14 October 2021. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  24. ↑ Skinner, Tony (24 May 2013). "Boeing furthers Ground-Launched SDB". Shephard Media. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013.
  25. 1 2 Axe, David (3 February 2023). "Ukraine's New Rocket-Boosted Glide-Bombs Can Turn Around And Hit Targets On The Backs Of Hills, 90 Miles Away". Forbes. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  26. ↑ Mehta, Aaron (10 March 2015). "Boeing, Saab Unveil Ground Launched SDB". Defensenews.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018.
  27. ↑ "Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB)". Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
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  30. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (30 October 2019). "Ukrainian Officer Details Russian Electronic Warfare Tactics Including Radio "Virus"". The Drive. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
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  33. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (18 February 2020). "Here Is What Each Of The Pentagon's Air-Launched Missiles And Bombs Actually Cost". The Drive. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  34. ↑ Dyson, Tauren (27 September 2019). "Boeing awarded $280M contract for small diameter bomb integration". UPI. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  35. ↑ "How Much GMLRS Missiles for HIMARS Cost: New Massive Contract with Finland Tells". Defense Express. 3 November 2022. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
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  37. ↑ Parsons, Dan (31 May 2022). "Ukraine To Get Guided Rockets, But Not Ones Able To Reach Far Into Russia (Updated)". The Drive. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  38. 1 2 "Ukraine to receive first GLSDB missiles no earlier than autumn – Pentagon". Yahoo! News. 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
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  41. ↑ "1 GBP to USD". British Pounds to US Dollars Exchange Rate. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
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  43. ↑ Bickerton, James (3 February 2023). "U.S. giving Ukraine smart bombs to double strike range against Russia". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  44. ↑ Stone, Mike; Hunder, Max (2 February 2023). "Analysis: Ukraine's new weapon will force a Russian shift". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  45. ↑ "Factbox: U.S. rocket-powered bomb would double Ukraine's strike range". Reuters. 1 February 2023. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  46. ↑ "GLSDB, Perhaps a Low Cost, Containerized, Precision, Shore Bombardment and Anti-Ship Weapon / Maybe Taiwan Could Use It Too". Chuck Hill's CG Blog. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  47. ↑ DeCamp, Dave (29 March 2023). "Russia Says Ukraine Using Longer-Range US-Provided Rockets". News From Antiwar.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  48. ↑ Stone, Mike (31 January 2023). "U.S. readies $2 billion-plus Ukraine aid package with longer-range weapons -sources". Reuters. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
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  50. ↑ "Transcript: The Politics of War and Leadership with Gen. David Petraeus". The Washington Post. 30 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  51. 1 2 Bisht, Inder Singh (30 March 2023). "Ukraine War Delayed Taiwan's 150-Kilometer Precision Bomb Purchase: Report". The Defense Post. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
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  53. ↑ "Land-launched small-diameter bombs with a range of 150 kilometers The United States agreed to sell Taiwan, but gave priority to providing Ukraine with reports". 上報 Up Media (in Chinese). 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  54. ↑ "Ukraine's HIMARS and M270 will Fire Twice as Far with New GLSDB Precision Bombs Delivered This Winter". Defense Express. 14 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023.
  55. ↑ Stone, Mike (30 November 2023). "Ukraine's new long-range rocket delivery from US pushed to next year". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
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