#glsdb

With a range of 160 kilometers, these Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs launchable from U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems will enable Ukraine to boost its long-range capabilities. 🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇸

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost . . . The U.S. is expected to deliver the first batch of new long-range bombs to Ukraine on Jan. 31, Politico reported, citing a U.S. official and three other people familiar with the matter.

The Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) can reportedly strike at a range of 160 kilometers, expanding Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, alongside Storm Shadow/SCALP and ATACMS missiles.

According to Politico’s sources, the Pentagon has successfully tested the new long-range precision bomb for Ukraine that could arrive “on the battlefield” on Jan. 31.

An unnamed U.S. official called GLSDB “a significant capability for Ukraine,” which will allow it “to do more,” Politico reported.

The GLSDB can be launched using the U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) which have been in service in Ukraine since June 2022.

The GPS-guided bombs, co-developed by Boeing and Swedish Saab defense company, are currently not in operation in the U.S.

The delivery of the GLSDB was first announced in February 2023, with initial estimates putting their arrival in Ukraine in late 2023.

Russia claimed that it had shot down a GLSDB in March 2023, but a U.S. official then told Reuters that none of these weapons had been delivered to Ukraine so far.

📸: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images

An update about the pending delivery by the U.S. of GLSDB longer-range weapons to be used by Ukraine for strikes against Russia's rear. 🇺🇦🇺🇸💙💛🇸🇪🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindpendent_official with @use.repost . . . Ukraine will likely receive its first large batch of the U.S.-pledged Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) long-range weapons, adapted to strike at a range of 160 kilometers, in early 2024, Reuters reported on Nov. 30, citing the Pentagon and sources familiar with the matter.

GLSDB can be used by the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and has roughly twice the range compared to the munitions currently used by Ukraine, potentially strengthening Kyiv's long-strike abilities.

The delivery of the GPS-guided rocket-propelled bombs was announced in February, with initial estimates putting their time of arrival to Ukraine in late 2023.

Because the Pentagon's contract with Boeing to begin the production was signed only in March, the manufacturer is expected to provide GLSDB to the U.S. in December, according to Reuters.

This will be followed by months of testing before it can be shipped to Ukraine.

The modern weapons system co-developed by Boeing and Swedish Saab defense company is currently not in operation by the U.S.

Russia claimed that it had shot down a GLSDB bomb in March, but a U.S. official told Reuters that none of these weapons had been delivered to Ukraine so far.

GLSDB would augment Ukraine's long-range arsenal for strikes against Russia's rear. Washington delivered a limited amount of Army Tactical Missiles Systems (ATACMS), most likely of the variation with a range of 160 kilometers, to Ukraine in October.

Photo: SAAB