DEFEA 2025: Armenia's GBL Guided Bomb Brings Autonomous Precision Strike Capability to Light Drones

At the DEFEA 2025 international defense exhibition held in Athens, the Armenian company Locator CJSC officially presents its new GBL series of guided bombs, designed to equip a wide range of unmanned aerial platforms. This system represents Armenia’s entry into the field of autonomous precision munitions, combining artificial intelligence and electro-optical targeting in a lightweight, modular format intended for tactical drones such as fixed-wing UAVs, VTOLs, quadcopters, and hexacopters.

The GBL is an autonomous “fire-and-forget” guided munition. Once released, it operates independently, using onboard processors and algorithms to detect, lock onto, and strike moving targets without requiring external guidance. The core of the system lies in its gyrostabilized optical sensor package, which ensures visual tracking stability, and in its precision control surfaces, which maintain the bomb’s trajectory toward a designated target. The modular design allows for compatibility with various warheads, thanks to a universal mounting system.

The latest GBL 2.0 variant includes two onboard cameras, one with a wide field of view for area scanning and another with a narrow, zoomed lens for target designation. These sensors switch automatically during flight to maximize the efficiency of target identification and engagement. The operational range of the munition has been increased from 2,000 meters to 3,000 meters in this version, offering more flexibility in both urban and open battlefield environments.

From a technical perspective, the GBL system is designed to be lightweight and compact. It weighs 2.5 kg without payload, and between 3.5 to 5 kg depending on the type of explosive charge fitted, which can range from 0.5 to 2 kg. Its physical dimensions, 835 mm in length and 110 mm in diameter, ensure that it can be deployed from relatively small UAVs. The wings unfold in flight to reach a total span of 320 mm, providing aerodynamic stability during terminal guidance. The bomb operates for up to 40 minutes on internal power and can function in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +50°C, making it suitable for various operational theatres.

The introduction of the GBL system reflects a broader trend in modern conflict environments: the growing demand for low-cost, high-precision munitions that can be integrated with tactical UAVs. In asymmetrical warfare, where opponents may be dispersed, mobile, and embedded in civilian infrastructure, the use of manned aircraft or heavy artillery often poses both logistical and ethical constraints. Autonomous guided bombs like the GBL offer an alternative, providing precision strike capability at a tactical level without the need for expensive platforms or constant operator control.

This type of weapon also reflects a significant shift in how smaller defense industries approach the challenge of deterrence and defense. For Armenia, a country with limited access to major defense procurement markets and under constant pressure from regional adversaries, the ability to produce and export a guided munition system developed in-house represents a major step toward military-technological independence. Locator CJSC, founded in 2007, specializes in smart optics and guidance systems. With the GBL, the company aligns itself with international trends favoring miniaturized, autonomous, and adaptable weapons for drone warfare.

At the strategic level, systems like the GBL may enable smaller nations or non-aligned states to upgrade their strike capabilities without the prohibitive costs associated with traditional manned aviation or long-range missiles. As tactical UAVs proliferate, the demand for precision munitions tailored to their limited payload and range is growing. The GBL thus meets an operational need that is likely to become more urgent in the coming years, especially in contested regions where airspace control is fragmented and conventional assets are vulnerable to denial strategies.

Locator CJSC’s decision to unveil the GBL at DEFEA 2025 is also significant in terms of market positioning. Greece, situated at the crossroads of NATO, EU, and Middle Eastern defense interests, serves as a strategic platform for showcasing such technologies to European, Balkan, and Middle Eastern buyers. The GBL’s modularity, autonomous function, and compatibility with various drone types may appeal not only to national militaries but also to private security firms and paramilitary forces operating in environments where real-time air support is not available.

The GBL guided bomb illustrates Armenia’s ambition to enter the competitive field of drone-deployed smart munitions. Through Locator CJSC, the country now offers a lightweight, precise, and adaptable system that responds to current battlefield needs while reflecting larger geopolitical and technological trends. The growing role of UAV-compatible autonomous weapons points toward a future where small, cost-effective strike systems will play an increasing role in both state and non-state military operations. As drone warfare continues to evolve, so too does the demand for systems like the GBL, compact, efficient, and designed for decentralized, precision engagements.

The latest GBL 2.0 variant includes two onboard cameras, one with a wide field of view for area scanning and another with a narrow, zoomed lens for target designation (Picture source: Army Recognition)