Faced with the Russian armada, Ukraine, to consolidate its recent military successes, increasingly needs sophisticated weapons. However, American and allied military stocks are decreasing.
This is why the Pentagon is studying a proposal for Boeing B.N aimed at supplying Ukraine with small, inexpensive precision bombs that would allow Kyiv to strike far behind Russian lines, as the West struggles to meet demand for additional weapons.
The system proposed by Boeingground-launched small-diameter bombs, or “Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb” (GLSDB), is one of half a dozen projects to bring new weapons into production for Ukraine and US allies in Eastern Europe, according to industry sources.
The GLSDB could be delivered as early as spring 2023, according to a document seen by Archyde.com and three sources familiar with the matter. It combines the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), or small diameter bomb, with the M26 rocket engine, common in American inventories.
Doug Bush, the US military’s top arms buyer, told the Pentagon last week that the military is also considering ramping up production of 155-millimeter artillery shells – currently manufactured at government facilities – by allowing defense contractors to build them.
The invasion of Ukraine has increased demand for American-made arms and ammunition, while US allies in Eastern Europe are “placing numerous orders” for a range of weapons in part of Ukraine’s supply, added Doug Bush.
“It’s about getting quantity at a low cost,” said Tom Karako, a weapons and security expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The drop in American stocks partly explains the rush for arms today, he believes. Inventories are “lower and lower relative to the levels we like to keep on hand and certainly relative to the levels we will need to deter conflict with China.”
Tom Karako also noted that many air-dropped bombs have become available since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. They cannot be easily used with Ukrainian aircraft, but “in the current environment, we should look for innovative ways to convert the range capability.”
Although a handful of GLSDB units have already been manufactured, numerous logistical issues stand in the way of an official supply.
For example, any arrangement would require at least six suppliers to expedite shipments of their parts and services in order to produce the weapon quickly.
A spokesperson for Boeing declined to comment. Pentagon spokesman Lt. Commander Tim Gorman declined to comment on providing “specific capability” to Ukraine, but said the United States and its allies are “identifying and reviewing the most more appropriate” that could help Kyiv.
Although the United States rejected the request for ATACMS missiles with a range of 297km, the 150km range of the GLSDB would allow Ukraine to hit important military targets.
The GLSDB is jointly manufactured by SAAB SAABb.ST et Boeing B.N and has been in development since 2019, long before the invasion of Ukraine.
In October, SAAB Managing Director Micael Johansson said of the GLSDB: “We are expecting contracts on this shortly.”
(with Archyde.com)