GLSDB (Guided Rocket)

2024: Refusal to use Ukraine

In early July 2024, it became known that Ukraine was abandoning the use of GPS bombs developed by Boeing. Russian systems in the special operation zone completely block the signals of this ammunition.

We are talking about the so-called Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB). The weapon was created by Boeing specialists in collaboration with Saab Group. The projectile consists of a small diameter GBU-39 bomb (SDB) and an M26 rocket engine, which are widespread in U.S. arsenals and relatively inexpensive. After launch, the bomb undocks from the engine, unfolds its wings and heads towards the target. The GLSDB has a three-band homing head combining inertial guidance using GPS, infrared and active radar homing. The projectile is launched from ground-based missile systems.

source = Ministry of Defense

However, it turned out that the GLSDB homing system is not able to withstand Russian jamming systems. According to The Wall Street Journal, Anna Gvozdyar, Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine, spoke about the situation. She said "she is disappointed that these [GLSDB] systems are not adapting to catch up."

In turn, Boeing, according to Reuters, said that in the case of GLSDB ammunition, problems with certain interference can be resolved. However, modification of the projectile "may take months." Ukraine has used GLSDB since the beginning of 2024, and experts note that these bombs are ineffective on the battlefield due to interference. It is also said that Russian troops are adapting tactics to counter shells, improving electronic warfare.^[1]

2023: The first interception of a projectile by the Russian air defense system

For the first time during the Russian military special operation in Ukraine, Russian air defense systems intercepted the GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) guided rocket of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU ). This was reported on March 28, 2023 by the TASS agency with reference to the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov.

Air defense equipment intercepted 10 rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and one GLSDB guided rocket during the day, he said. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation did not specify where exactly the shell was intercepted

GLSDB Guided Rocket

GLSDB (Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb) homing missiles were included To Ukraine in the external assistance package. USA GLSDB is a GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb docked with a 227 mm rocket engine M26 from MLRS M142 HIMARS and MLRS M270. The firing range of such a shell exceeds 150 km. These systems have been in service with the American Army and its allies for many decades. GLSDB has twice the range of M30/M31 guided missiles previously used by the Ukrainian army.

In connection with the supply of American bombs to Ukraine, experts expressed the opinion that against this background, Russia could change the tactics of conducting hostilities in the zone of a special military operation. In particular, military expert Alexander Musienko, in a conversation with Reuters, suggested that due to GLSDB supplies, Russian forces would have to adapt by moving military facilities even further from the contact line.

The use of GLSDB MLRS shells by the Armed Forces of Ukraine indicates that the United States is trying to suppress the Russian air defense system in the special operation zone. This was announced on March 28, 2023 to Izvestia by military expert Alexei Leonkov. According to him, the peculiarity of this ammunition is that the planning bomb can GBU-39 maneuver.^[2]

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