Boeing teams with Saab to offer manoeuvrable, SDB-based artillery

[Zarvan]

A concept drawing of the GLSDB being fired from the standard six-round launch container of the M270A1 MLRS. Source: Boeing
Key Points

• Boeing and Saab have completed GLSDB customer demonstrations
• The companies say a production contract could be signed shortly

Boeing and Saab have completed customer demonstrations of a new Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) that they are marketing as a more capable and manoeuvrable munition for the M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), company officials said during a 10 March press briefing.

GLSDB combines a GBU-39B with an M26 rocket, said Beth Kluba, vice president for Boeing Weapons and Missile Systems. "It's off-the-shelf technology," she said. "That really drives the risk down for this new capability."

Boeing began working on the GLSDB in 2011 but quickly completed development after Saab became a partner on the programme in August 2014. Demonstrations for unnamed potential customers have been conducted at a range in Sweden.

It is launched out of a legacy MLRS launcher, which is in service with the US Army and 13 of its allies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Saab North America President Michael Andersson told reporters that the companies are continuing discussions with several potential customers, which include current MLRS operators. Kluba confirmed that there have been discussions with the US Army, but both companies declined to name other countries interested in the system. Kluba said one contract could be signed within 18-24 months.

GLSDB provides precision, terrain avoidance, and a range of up to 150 km forward-firing and up to 75 km behind the launch point. A programmable fuze provides impact and delay fuzing for deep penetration or proximity height-of-burst.
Boeing teams with Saab to offer manoeuvrable, SDB-based artillery - IHS Jane's 360
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[AMDR]

Video of test fire: Boeing's Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb in Action