The whole idea of a “silent mortar” is tactically significant, particularly for SF operations where signature and flash might give away positions of fire support during a deep operations Spetsnatz attack on key targets. Like as not, the signature would go completely unnoticed by the target, who would likely only start paying attention once the rounds start hitting.

I don’t know why the Fly-K didn’t get more use and uptake–Particularly from my use-case as an Engineer who didn’t get the privileges associated with other, higher life-forms like the Infantry. We never, ever had organic indirect fire capability much more than an M203, nor were we allowed access to fire support unless we went through the Infantry or were tasked to fight as Infantry. Having a nifty little system like the Fly-K, which is basically an idiot-proof “mortar team in-a-box” would have been a nice capability to have had, working out on our own doing obstacle emplacement or bridging. Unfortunately, our bosses didn’t see it that way, and the Infantry/Artillery bubbas were like “Well… If you really need fire support, you can maybe… I dunno… Call us? We might get around to helping you guys out, if we’re not busy…”.

The more I research and read, as well as reflect, the less I like the stovepipe approach to anything. Branch is all well and good, but when it prevents you from defending yourself because your officers wear the wrong kind of insignia, and decisions are made based on branch, not tactical need or the necessity of situation…? Yeah; screw that BS. I’m out in front of the friggin’ Infantry, I want the same gear and the same fire support, and if you don’t want to provide it to me and my guys because “cost” and “not Infantry”, y’all can kiss my shiny white ass, and go build your own damn obstacles and bridges yourselves.

Glide bombs are indeed nothing new. But they don’t cost enough to really make them attractive to the powers-what-be at DOD. See also the British Brimstone missile system, their aptly named replacement for the Hellfire.