Page 28 - ADT NOV - DEC 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

to 10 km and feature a multi-mode The Clear Favourite over three feet of steel-reinforced
fuze with point detonation, point concrete. Once in use, the SDB has
detonation delay and proximity Apart from PGMs manufactured extendable deployable wings that
sensor operating modes. The PGM by its indigenous defence industry, enable it to glide over distances
was unveiled in 2021. Israel has also received a signif- beyond 60 nautical miles (69 miles).
icant number of GBU-39 Small While one of its variants is used
According to Israel’s Ministry Diameter Bombs (SDBs) produced to reduce collateral damage out-
of Defence, the lightweight and by Boeing. The U.S. delivered an side the blast zone, the Laser SDB
cost-effective Iron Sting is equipped estimated 5,214 missiles to Israel (GBU-39B/B) features a semi-active
with sophisticated laser and GPS from 2021 to 2023, of which 2,914 laser guidance for targeting moving
guidance systems, enabling precise were SDBs. The SDB is a much-in- objects.
targeting while minimising collateral demand PGM, and a special variant
damage and reducing the risk to of the bomb has been delivered Joint Effort
non-combatants. “These advanced to Ukraine as well as it defends
munitions represent a significant against Russian aggression. Boeing Boeing and Saab have teamed
leap in the IDF’s [Israel Defense also sent about 3,000 Joint Direct up to develop the Ground
Force’s] ability to conduct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which Launched Small Diameter Bomb
operations in complex combat convert free-fall bombs into “smart” (GLSDB), a weapon that can be
conditions and urban environ- bombs that can be guided to a ground-launched from a variety of
ments,” it added. target, to Israel during this time launchers and configurations. It
period. combines the SDB with the M26
“By integrating GPS and laser rocket, enabling it to be launched
targeting technologies, we have from ground-based missile systems
achieved a level of precision that In a sign of the PGM’s endur- such as the M270 Multiple Launch
is highly reliable,” says Liraz, ing popularity, the US Air Force Rocket System and M142 HIMARS.
Head of the Mortars, Munition, and awarded Boeing a contract, with a Saab has developed a stand-alone
Precision Guided Munition (PGM) maximum value of US$6.9 billion, launcher for GLSDB that can be
Sector at Elbit System’s Land sys- to produce SDBs for the service as mounted on any truck using 20”
tems Division. “The Iron Sting is well as US allies Japan, Bulgaria, flatbed system or in a container
among the most efficient and pre- and Ukraine. Work is expected solution. The bomb’s range of up
cise mortars on the market today. to be completed by the end of to 150 kilometres allows users to
It offers an operational advantage December 2035. deploy it against enemy targets or
in all weather conditions and is troops from a long distance. The
significantly lighter than its pre- The SDB is a precision-guided weapon, which started initial mass
decessors and other products bomb that uses an inertial naviga- production in 2023, was used in
available.” tion system, a global positioning combat with middling results by
system, and a penetrating and Ukraine early this year.
Elbit’s guided mortar munitions blast-fragmentation warhead for
series also includes the Stylet high accuracy and reduced collat- StormBreaker
120mm guided mortar, and the eral damage. The bomb, which is
Rapier Long-Range Guided 70.8 inches long and 7.5 inches In January this year, the US
Mortar Munition. Ideal for tactical wide, weighs about 250 pounds Air Force awarded Raytheon
combat units, Special Forces and (113 kilograms) and can penetrate a US$345-million contract to
other units, the Stylet GMM fea-
tures autonomous re control and
multi-target assault with single
positioning, effective against infan-
try and light armoured vehicles at
a range of 1 - 8.5km. It is equipped
with a blast and fragmentation
warhead, delivering high lethality
and precision with minimal collateral
damage. According to the company,
the Rapier GMM offers an extended
range of up to 16 km and high
accuracy even in severe weather
conditions.

28 | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2024 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/ADT