GLSDB is a pretty nice weapon. Combines the range and capability of a bomb with a glide kit boosted to altitude via a rocket. This type of weapon is new for the US as they normally have air superiority, so boosting the glide bombs from the ground wasn’t previously needed as they would be carried up by an aircraft instead.
Sorry for ignorance, genuine question, how is this different to a short range missile?
A short range missile (such as GMLRS, which HIMARS also fires) does not have the glide kit. This means the missile is much faster, but for maximum range the missile has to follow a (vaguely) ballistic trajectory. With the glide kit, it can trade much of that speed into additional range by gliding to the target. This means GLSDB gliders can hit targets at further range, but being slower, it’s easier to shoot down and makes it less able to hit extremely time sensitive targets. IIRC, GMLRS missiles have a time-to-target of 2-3 min from launch, while GLSDB gliders have (a guesstimate on my part) more like 10-15min from launch. GLSDB gliders can also sacrifice some of the range to loop around and hit targets from different angles, while GMLRS missiles are pretty much only top-down. GLSDB gliders are also significantly cheaper than GMLRS missiles.
GLSDB gliders go 93 miles.
GMLRS missiles go 57 miles.
Appreciate the informative response! I’m ashamed to say it hadn’t ever occurred to me that a missile still needs to follow a ballistic path. I’ve been fooled by movies without realising the nonsense in that, given they have no ‘wings’. Control surfaces aside of course. Thanks!
For additional reference, we now have video of a GLSDB in action in Ukraine.
Holy shit yeah that’s a step up from drone grenades footage, nice!
Seems rather unwieldy for a weapon. Couldn’t they make it shorter?
Best I can do is 45 miles.
Forbes dropping bombs.
Ukrainian brigades are starving for artillery ammunition—ironically because of Russia-aligned Republican lawmakers in the United States.
Yeah, I was going to comment on this, but you were faster. This is the first time that I’ve noticed a major media outlet connecting Republicans with Russia. So it’s an open secret now?
It’s the first time I’ve noticed a major non-liberal media outlet pointedly connecting Republicans with Russia. Which is a pretty big deal tbh.
I don’t think it’s a secret at all anymore.
That’s what an open secret is. Everyone knows it but few people are willing to acknowledge it publicly.
TIL
Surprising coming from Forbes, honestly
Well, technically it is Trump aligned republicans.
So, 99% of Republicans which is the same thing as Republicans.
90%, but your point still stands. Anyone remember the saying “Weak men create hard times”? Those are the weak men. Little bitch-boys that need a strongman to tell them what to think.
Hasn’t this been an open secret for years? Does no one remember Paul Ryan talking about Russian payola to trump and other Republican traitors back in 2016?
The comment is about headlines, not open secrets. I know you read the comment, why did you respond like this?
The comment is about headlines, not open secrets.
This is the first time that I’ve noticed a major media outlet connecting Republicans with Russia. So it’s an open secret now?
I was responding to a comment talking about the open secret of Russian connections to republicans, not about the headline. Are you sure you responded to the right comment?
Removed by mod
I saw the photo and thought this was one of those “Taylor Swift going to X” memes. I’ll see myself out.
