MSPO 2025: Saab signs GLSDB MoU with Hanwha Aerospace

Saab has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hanwha Aerospace in relation to the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), Saab announced at the MSPO 2025 defence exhibition at Targi Kielce in Poland on 4 September.

The MoU aims to investigate the possibility of integrating the GLSDB into the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace.

GLSDB was developed by Saab and Boeing from the latter’s air-launched GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), to which is added an M26 rocket motor used in rounds fired by the Lockheed Martin M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The rocket motor launches the SDB to a high-enough altitude and speed, after which the SDB separates from the rocket, deploys its wings and glides to its target in the normal way. This produces an affordable long-range precision fires solution that can defeat targets from hardened facilities to soft-skinned assets at ranges of more than 150 km.

Development of the GLSDB was completed in 2015 and the system entered production in 2023, initially being supplied to Ukraine for launch from its armed forces’ MLRS and High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.

“With this agreement we are excited to explore how we can bring the long-range precision of GLSDB to current and future users of the Chunmoo launcher,” Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s Dynamics business area, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Together these would mean even more great capability is available to those who want a strike capability unmatched by traditional rocket or gun artillery,” he added.