According to various media, U.S. President Joe Biden said he is planning to speak to President Zelenskyy about future military aid packages. Two U.S. officials briefed on the matter told Reuters on January 31 that the U.S. is preparing to offer Ukraine a $2.2 billion military aid package which is expected to include GLSDB Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs for the first time as well as other munitions and weapons.
Among the longer-range artillery munitions, there would be the GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb), a new generation of precision-guided ammunition that was jointly developed by Boeing and SAAB and can be launched from artillery systems such as the M142 HIMARS or the M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System).
The GLSDB is based on the GBU-39B SDB I bomb originally designed for launch from an aircraft using the propulsion motor of the M26 rocket which is the first major unmanned rocket projectile in the MLRS family.
The GLSDB is able to reach a target at a maximum range of 150 km, with an accuracy of 1 meter, which increases by 50% the firing range of the standard guided rockets fired by M270 or HIMARS, two artillery systems that are now in service with the Ukrainian armed forces. The guidance system of the GLSDB includes an inertial navigation system (INS) / global positioning system (GPS) allowing guidance, navigation, and position data for the bomb. With this guidance system, the GLSDB can be used to destroy static or moving targets during the day and night and in all weather conditions.