MBDA introduces ‘the SmartGlider family of weapons’

MBDA introduces the new SmartGlider family of guided weapons, designed to counter anti-access strategies and other emerging battlespace threats.

According to the MBDA, the SmartGlider forms a family of all-up-round glider weapons with folding wings and a range of over 100 km. It is designed to counter new networked short- and medium=range surface-to-air threats, as well as moving targets or static targets. It is planned to become available no later than 2025.

MBDA Military Advisor, François Moussez, said: “The SmartGlider family considerably reinforces the air-to-ground capabilities of the combat platform, sitting between the bombs equipped with guidance kits and cruise missiles. Designed for use in high volumes in order to saturate ai defences, SmartGliders are gliders that, thanks to a high lift-to-drag ratio and their integrated guidance and navigation, will feature a range of over 100 km allowing the combat platform to stay at safe distance from the enemy defences.”

Lionel Mazenq, Business Development Manager France, adds: “Our SmartGliders will integrate new technologies in their guidance and navigation functions, as well as multipurpose warheads. Thus, they will be able to reach and destroy the best defended targets, notably enemy air defences, thanks to a mix of optronics and radio frequency sensors that makes them robust against anti-access measures."