MSPO 2023: Macro-Systems unveils new GNOM ground loitering munition.

At the MSPO 2023 event, the Polish firm Macro-Systems is showcasing its new GNOM ground loitering munition, which is based on a mini-UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle). This four-wheeled kamikaze drone weighs 7 kg, including the warhead, and offers a maximum speed of 80 km/h with a control range of 500 meters. It features interchangeable warheads designed to carry the GX-1 DG family of warheads produced by the Polish company Bulma, a part of the PGZ group.
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The GNOM ground loitering munition is equipped with a miniaturized warhead (Picture source Army Recognition and Macro-Systems)

These GX-1 DG warheads have been developed and are currently manufactured domestically by the Military Institute of Armament Technology and the Belma company, based in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Belma currently offers three families of warheads designed for UAVs and, now, UGVs. Weighing 1 kg, the GX-1 DG miniaturized warheads are designed to target lightly armored vehicles, machine gun nests, light tanks, and armored personnel carriers. These warheads have been adapted from the GX-1 warhead for integration with Combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicles of the mini kamikaze class.

The warheads that can be used with the GNOM ground loitering munitions come in multiple versions: the GK-1 HEAT DG, a cumulative and fragmentation warhead, is intended for tanks, armored vehicles, and combat vehicle crews; the GO-1 HE DG, a high-explosive warhead, is aimed at lightly armored vehicles, machine gun nests, and personnel; the GTB FAE DG, a thermobaric warhead, is designed for the destruction of radar stations, rocket launchers, shelters, bunkers, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, there exists a training version of the GX-DG warhead called GO-HE-TR DG.

It's important to note that these warheads do not include optoelectronic systems, as they are designed for Mini-UAVs that have separate observation systems alongside their combat capabilities.

Drawing from the expertise gained in developing the GX-1 warheads, the Military Institute of Armament Technology has also introduced the GX-2 family, designed for UAVs with greater payload capacity and combat capabilities. These warheads feature a three-degree electromechanical system, and their weight has increased from 1,400 to 4,800 grams. The available variants closely resemble those of the original warhead series, but they offer an extended range - up to 50 meters for thermobaric and high-explosive warheads, while the HEAT warhead can penetrate up to 700 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA).

All three families of warheads incorporate the SA (Safe-Arm) safety system, allowing them to be armed and disarmed multiple times as needed, including using an operator's panel. This versatility enables Belma S.A. to manufacture warheads for UCAVs and loitering munitions produced by various manufacturers, accommodating different payload capacities and guidance methods. The warheads are scalable, making it possible to customize the entire system to meet the specific requirements of customers.