Ground Bomb GLSDB: Affordable Offensive Weapons
The combination of a ground-to-ground missile tested in combat with existing air-to-ground weapons can significantly add to the current US military’s arsenal of shock capabilities at a low cost and with less risk. This idea led Boeing to develop a small caliber bomb launched from the ground (GLSDB) (Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb). This system will allow the US Army and possibly other Allied armies that are equipped with the MLRS rocket launcher (MLRS) to achieve targets at large distances (more than 150 km) with the accuracy provided by the standard SDB bomb. In accordance with the ban on cluster armament, the US Army began dismantling its M26 missiles. Their combat units are stuffed with 644 grenades M77 (anti-personnel / to defeat the material part), which are scattered over the target in the air, which is now outside the law. The rocket itself has a range of 32 km and thus can be used to launch something else. Instead of destroying them, Boeing began developing an interstage adapter that allows you to connect the SDB and the rocket. When it reaches a given fire control system, the adapter separates the SDB from the rocket and, thanks to its folding wings, the bomb plans to the target using its inertial navigation / GPS system. The high-explosive warhead of the piercing action weighs 93 kg, it is distinguished by a profiled nose, contains 16 kg of a low-sensitivity explosive and is equipped with an electronic fuse with selectable before deactivation modes: air detonation, non-contact and delayed. The bomb can be used in underground structures, since the penetration of the warhead into the reinforced concrete reaches almost one meter. GLSDB is compatible with the M270A1 MLRS MLRS and M142 HIMARS, each container holds six missiles, i.e., caterpillar 12 missiles and six light wheeled missiles. After completing the development of the interstage adapter, Boeing must conduct ground and flight tests.
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Armada International
www.boeing.com
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