Saab has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nammo and Nordic Shelter to support the ongoing Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) campaign. The new agreement was announced during a signing 23 November 2021 in Oslo, Norway. Nammo will contribute with its expertise in rocket motor development and production as part of the GLSDB propulsion sub-system. Nordic Shelter brings the knowledge and experience needed for the development and production of a modular GLSDB launcher, based on a purpose built 20-foot ISO-container. With a range of 150 km, the ability to hit targets across a wide area, and a precision so high it can hit the target within a radius of one meter. Saab and Boeing have together developed the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) – the rocket artillery munition designed to meet the evolving needs of the armed forces.
“With Nammo and Nordic Shelter as part of the team, we have two great Norwegian companies who can benefit from future export prospects, while lending their expertise to make GLSDB an even more compelling solution. The range of the system, its 360? coverage and precision, with the ability to use a discrete launcher configuration makes GLSDB unique amongst artillery systems,” says Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.
Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) is a long range, precision artillery system developed by Saab and Boeing. The system is based on Boeing’s air-launched Small Diameter Bomb, which has been in production since 2006, with more than 30 000 units shipped. GLSDB enables Small Diameter Bomb to be ground-launched from a wide variety of launchers and configurations. GLSDB leverages the investment made by these Air Forces and provides a low cost capability for land forces. The SDB family of warheads provides a variety of ground launched solutions, with current variants for moving/re-locatable targets and ultra-low collateral damage. The SDB capability roadmap also provides for operations in GPS-denied environments, area attack and engaging energy emitting targets.\\
Since the original version of SDB was an air-to-surface-solution, all necessary technology such as the navigation system lies within the bomb. The SDB navigates towards the target with INS Navigation that is supported by a highly jamming resistance GPS. Since the system does not need a ballistic path toward the target it is possible to launch the GLSDB from a container, and engage targets 360 degrees without moving the launcher. Besides this, any launcher capable of using the MLRS Launch pod container, may also be used (M270, HIMARS, CHUNMOO).GLSDB has the ability to fly non-ballistic trajectories and maneuvers to strike targets that cannot be reached by conventional direct fire weapons, such as withreverse slope engagement.
