US prepares Ukraine aid package that includes GLSDB ammunition – Reuters

The United States is preparing a new military assistance package worth $2.2 billion for Ukraine.

It is expected to include extended-range Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) ammunition.

Reuters reports this, citing two American officials.

Assistance according to sources will be announced this week. It will include equipment for Patriot SAMs, precision ammunition, and Javelin ATGMs.

One official shared that part of this $1.7 billion aid package would come from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) fund, which allows the Biden administration to transfer weapons from the industry rather than from US stockpiles.

Thus, USAI funds will go toward purchasing Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb ammunition. These extended-range projectiles have a range of 150 km.

At the same time, journalists report that Ukraine’s request to transfer ATACMS missiles has as of now been rejected.

The USAI funds would also be used to pay for more HAWK air defense components, counter-drone systems, counter artillery and air surveillance radars, communications equipment, PUMA drones, and spare parts for major systems like Patriot and Bradley.

The aid package also includes additional medical equipment. This includes supplying three field hospitals that were donated by other allies.

In addition to the USAI funds, more assistance for over $400 million is expected.

That aid was expected to include mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs), guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS), and ammunition.

Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb

GLSDB ammunition was designed by Boeing in conjunction with SAAB. It has been in development since 2019.

The GLSDB combines a GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) with an M26 rocket engine.

It is noted that the М26 rocket engine is relatively affordable, and the production of a GBU-39 bomb costs about 40 thousand dollars per unit, which makes the GLSDB an inexpensive weapon. Its main components are easily accessible for production.

Structurally, the GBU-39 is a small guided bomb that weighs 130 kilograms. An improved GBU-53 bomb, capable of striking and moving targets, was developed on the basis of this ammunition.

The GBU-39`s wings deploy in the air, which significantly increases the operational range.

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

This ammunition can use missile systems that Ukraine already has – namely M270 and HIMARS launchers.