259
submitted 8 months ago by JoMiran@lemmy.ml to c/world@lemmy.world
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] BombOmOm@lemmy.world 32 points 8 months ago

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.

[-] itwasawednesday@lemmy.world 7 points 8 months ago

Sorry for ignorance, genuine question, how is this different to a short range missile?

[-] BombOmOm@lemmy.world 21 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

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.

[-] itwasawednesday@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

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!

[-] BombOmOm@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

For additional reference, we now have video of a GLSDB in action in Ukraine.

[-] itwasawednesday@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

Holy shit yeah that's a step up from drone grenades footage, nice!

this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2024
259 points (95.1% liked)

World News

38943 readers
1899 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS