Recent reports reveal that Russian jamming has significantly impaired the effectiveness of US-supplied Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) in Ukraine. These glide bombs, developed jointly by Boeing and Saab, have been hindered by sophisticated Russian electronic warfare tactics, making it difficult for them to hit their intended targets.
Russian jamming has intercepted the navigation systems of these bombs, which rely on GPS guidance to maneuver around obstacles and anti-air defenses. This interference has been a recurring issue for Ukraine’s relatively new arsenal, comprising GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs and M26 rocket motors, which are common in US military inventories.
Russian interference prevented many of Ukraine’s relatively new long-range GLSDB bombs from hitting their intended targets, Reuters reported, based on insights from three people familiar with the matter. This has been a significant setback for Ukraine, which sought these long-range weapons to disrupt Russian supply lines and troop concentrations.Despite Boeing’s assurances that the GLSDB can counteract some jamming efforts, addressing the current challenges could take months.
Ukraine has been deploying these glide bombs since early this year, but experts have observed their limited battlefield performance due to Russian electronic countermeasures. The strategic importance of long-range fires remains crucial for Ukraine, as they provide an ability to strike deep into enemy territory. However, as Tom Karako from the Center for Strategic and International Studies articulated, “simply a reality, and numerous weapon systems have had to contend with these and other countermeasures,”
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lift the restrictions. Analysts believe that lifting restrictions on U.S. aid could encourage other NATO allies to step up their support.
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine war briefing: US-supplied glide bombs struggle against Russian jamming , The Guardian, 05/24/2024
– Ukraine’s long-range glide bomb blunted by Russian jamming, Yahoo News Canada, 05/22/2024
– US, its partners must review their policy for Ukraine’s victory, Western analysts say — online.ua, News.online.ua, 05/23/2024
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