In a discussion with military analyst Alexey Leonkov, it was stated that Izvestia reported the GLSDB, or Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb, used by Ukrainian forces, appears to glide away and leave no trace, suggesting it could complicate tracking for opposing forces. Leonkov also noted that conventional missiles fired from multiple launch rocket systems can sometimes be followed by control traces, a factor that may influence how such weapons are monitored during combat.
The expert argued that this capability could make the GLSDB a notably challenging target to engage or intercept, given how the device interacts with modern sensors and battle-space awareness. According to his assessment, the design and flight characteristics position the GLSDB as a high-threat asset in environments where electronic and visual surveillance are continually evolving and contested.
Leonkov added that, from the American side, the GLSDB remains classified as experimental in some circles. He noted that throughout the ongoing special operation, several GLSDB rounds have been launched, yet Russian forces have remained actively engaged in countering or neutralizing them, preserving a focus on developing effective responses to this class of weapons.
He described the system as a multiple-launch rocket arrangement with an anticipated industrial reach of roughly 130 to 160 kilometers. The portrayal emphasized precision, with the claim that the GLSDB can strike specific coordinates with a high degree of accuracy, raising the impression that a more extended “long arm” capability could be on the horizon for its developers.
On 18 October, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that in the course of operations in Ukraine, five operational-tactical missiles and four American GLSDB guided bombs were captured or neutralized in a single day using air defense measures. The agency described these incidents as part of a broader effort to contest advanced weaponry encountered in the field.
Earlier, a captain from Russia commented on the Northern Military District area, highlighting certain weapon types as particularly useful under the region’s operational conditions, a point that underscores how different forces assess the utility of modern munitions across varied theaters.