Saab has announced a significant partnership with Hanwha Aerospace, formalized through a memorandum of understanding aimed at integrating the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) into the Chunmoo rocket artillery system. This collaboration is expected to enhance the Chunmoo’s capabilities, combining the precision and maneuverability of glide bombs with the extensive range and saturation firepower characteristic of rocket artillery systems.
The Chunmoo rocket artillery system, initially developed for South Korea, has gained international traction and is now utilized by the armed forces of Poland, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This versatile system is mounted on an 8×8 Hanwha truck chassis and features two modular launch pods. Each pod can accommodate a variety of munitions, including up to 20 130mm unguided rockets, six 227mm unguided or 239mm guided rockets, or a single 290mm tactical ballistic missile with an impressive range of 290 kilometers (approximately 190 miles).
On the other hand, the GLSDB boasts a remarkable long-range precision strike capability by integrating the air-launched GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb with an M26 rocket motor, thereby extending engagement ranges to 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) when fired from the ground.
Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, emphasizing the potential to deliver long-range precision capabilities to current and future operators of the Chunmoo system. He stated, “Together, these would mean even more great capability is available to those who want a strike capability unmatched by traditional rocket or gun artillery.”
This integration aims to provide users with enhanced tactical options on the battlefield, marking a significant advancement in munitions technology and artillery systems. As countries continue to modernize their military capabilities, this collaboration between Saab and Hanwha Aerospace could play a crucial role in shaping the future landscape of artillery warfare.
