Saab has selected Anduril to produce solid rocket motors (SRMs) for the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), a system developed in partnership with Boeing.
Anduril’s new solid rocket motor will replace the legacy M26 Multiple Launch Rocket System in the GLSDB while adding improved manufacturing and safety features.
The company has started development and qualification and expects to enter full-rate production by 2026.
Expanding Manufacturing Capacity
Anduril is strengthening its manufacturing capabilities with a $75-million investment to expand its facility in McHenry, Mississippi.
The upgraded site, expected to be operational by next month, will enhance the company’s ability to meet the growing demand for SRMs.
This expansion follows a $14.3-million award under the Defense Production Act and supports the introduction of advanced automation processes designed to speed up production and lower costs.
In parallel, Anduril completed a static test fire of a 21-inch (53-centimeter) hypersonic rocket motor developed for the US Navy’s Standard Missile program.
Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb
The GLSDB combines the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb with a rocket motor from the Multiple Launch Rocket System, creating a long-range precision strike weapon.
It has a range of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) and can strike targets with accuracy within 1 meter (3.3 feet).
After launch, the rocket motor propels the weapon before separating, allowing the bomb to glide toward its target using a GPS-guided and inertial navigation system with anti-jamming capabilities.
The GLSDB is capable of engaging a wide range of targets in any direction, including fortified structures, caves, and mobile assets.
