US to send GLSDB bombs to Ukraine in 9 months — Bloomberg

A new ground-launched, bomb-tipped rocket to be ordered from Boeing Co. will come as part of the latest package of US arms for Ukraine that is going to be announced by the White House and Pentagon on Friday.

Bloomberg reported about this.

However, the new weapon is not to be deployed in Ukraine anytime soon: an industry official told Bloomberg that it would take about nine months for the first deliveries to be made once the US issued a contract.

The production of these bombs will be financed within the upcoming $1.75 billion military aid package under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is expected to be announced this Friday.

According to the person who wished to remain anonymous, it is planned that a total of no more than $200 million will be spent on this contract.

Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb

High-precision GLSDB bombs were created in cooperation between Boeing and SAAB. The ammunition has been under development since 2019.

The GLSDB combines the GBU-39 small diameter bomb (SDB) with the M26 rocket motor.

It is noted that the M26 rocket motor is relatively affordable, and the production of the GBU-39 bomb costs about $40,000 per unit, making the GLSDB an inexpensive weapon with its main components readily available for production.

The GBU-39 is a small guided bomb weighing 130 kilograms. Now, based on the ammunition, an improved GBU-53 bomb has been created, which can also hit moving targets.

The wings of the GBU-39 deploy in the air, significantly increasing the range of damage.

The weapon uses GPS and an inertial navigation system to guide the target.

This weapon is launched from ground-based missile systems such as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System and M142 HIMARS, which are already in service with Ukraine.