Ukraine will soon receive GLSDB long-range aerial rockets: what is known about them

The American company Boeing/Saab is close to starting to supply long-range GLSDB aerial rockets to Ukraine. The first samples of such weapons will likely be delivered to the Ukrainian military this fall. What was said about the supply of GLSDB rockets earlier and what makes these aerial rockets special - read further in the material.

What is known about receiving GLSDB long-range rockets

The Boeing/Saab company is on the way to supply Ukraine with long-range GLSDB rockets. This was stated by Jim Leary, senior business director of the Boeing Company, Global Defense reports.

According to Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant to the head of the US Ministry of Defense, Ukraine will be able to receive such rockets this fall. And the delays are related to development and production problems. No further information has been received from the rocket maker.

The Ukrainian military must also receive appropriate launchers.

What is known about GLSDB long-range rockets

GLSDB is a joint development of the American company Boeing and the Swedish Saab. These munitions can be launched from HIMARS and M270 installations, which Ukraine already has, wrote Italian military expert Thomas Tayner.

GLSDB has an inertial navigation system and uses GPS for targeting. After launch, the rocket unfolds its wings and actually soars to its target.

A long-range cruise rocket can hit a target at a distance of 150 kilometers. The projectile is an experimental hybrid that combines the GBU-39 small-diameter aerial rocket with the rocket engine of the M26 rocket.

Characteristics of the rocket:

• mass - 130 kilograms;
• length - 1800 millimeters;
• damage range - up to 150 kilometers;
• mass of the warhead - 93 kilograms;
• launch platforms - M270, HIMARS.

However, the Pentagon had previously reported that the deployment of these rockets in Ukraine could take a long time.

GLSDB will be launched from the ground and is highly accurate.

What was said about the supply of GLSDB rockets earlier

In February, the United States announced a $2.2 billion aid package to Ukraine.

Among other things, Ukraine was supposed to receive GLSDB long-range rockets. However, the Pentagon noted that the deployment of these missiles on the battlefield will take many months.

By the way, GLSDB is much cheaper than a standard missile for HIMARS - only 168 thousand dollars against 1 million.