Not Just HIMARS: US Upgrades Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs For Use In Ukraine

The U.S. is poised to resume shipments to Ukraine of long-range bombs known as Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB), after they were upgraded to better counter Russian jamming.

Reuters reported on this, based on information from its sources.

The glide-bombs were purchased under the U.S. administration of former President Joe Biden using the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

However, their use revealed a number of deficiencies. As a result, their use by the Ukrainian Defense Forces was discontinued last year.

According to Reuters, in recent weeks, 19 GLSDBs were test-fired to assess the effectiveness of the upgrades.

It is noted that part of the modifications had involved reinforcing connections within the weapon to enhance its resilience.

According to Reuters, the reintroduction of the GLSDB onto the battlefield could occur in the coming days, as a stockpile is already present in Europe. The last time Ukrainians used the weapons was months ago, an agency interlocutor said.

GLSDB

The GLSDB combines the 130 kilogram GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), a precision-guided air-launched munition, with a rocket engine adapted from the M26 artillery rocket. The GLSDB has a maximum range of up to 150 kilometers. It was initially understood that the munitions were stored in standardized, hermetically sealed transport and launch containers for deployment from HIMARS rocket systems. However, there is also evidence suggesting that alternative launchers may be used for the deployment of these munitions.

The weapon uses a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial navigation system for target guidance.

In the spring of last year, it was reported that the latest development by Boeing and Saab had faced a major challenge from Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems in Ukraine. These systems disrupted the ability of many GLSDBs to hit their intended targets.

In May 2024, Reuters sources reported that Boeing would need several months to address the deficiencies of the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs that had made them ineffective in the Russian-Ukraine war.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces confirmed the use of GLSDBs three times last year, including at the end of March. During this operation, they successfully hit the location of Russian UAV operators in the Kherson region.