FAB-500 explained

FAB-500 M-62 General Purpose (GP) Bomb[1]
Origin:Soviet Union
Type:Unguided general-purpose bomb
Is Explosive:yes
Production Date:1954–present (M-54); 1962–present (M-62)
Variants:KAB-500 (guided bomb)
Weight:500kg (1,100lb)
Length:2470mm
Diameter:400mm
Filling:High explosive
Filling Weight:201kg (443lb)

The FAB-500 is a Soviet-designed 500kg (1,100lb) general purpose air-dropped bomb with a high-explosive warhead, primarily used by the Russian Aerospace Forces, former Soviet republics and customer countries. The original M-54 model was rolled out in 1954, shaped for internal carriage by heavy bombers, a low-drag M-62 version in 1962 was intended for fighter bomber external hardpoint carriage.[2] [3] Early models were unguided, with a single nose fuze, and compatible with most models of Soviet aircraft.[4]

The latest variants of the FAB-500 bomb use the UMPK, a winged system developed after 2022 Ukraine war, for precision satellite guidance and increased stand-off distance.[5]

Operational history

The FAB-500 was widely employed over Afghanistan by Soviet and allied Afghan forces in the 1980s and saw use during the 2011-2019 Syrian civil war, where it was carried by both Russian and Syrian warplanes.[6] [7] [8]

The M62 variant has been used by Russian military forces in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9] On 13 March 2022 and 14 May 2022, FAB-500 bombs were found in Ukrainian cities of Chernihiv[10] and Odesa.[11]

In March 2023, Russian Su-35s launched a number of FAB-500 M-62, wreckage of which indicated that they had been fitted with an UMPK, a glide kit involving pop-out wings. It is unknown whether these had an internal navigation system, or were fitted with wings simply to extend the range to up to 70 km. It also is believed that these give Russian aircraft a stand-off ability to hit Ukrainian targets without risking exposure to Ukrainian air defences.[12] [13] [14]

As of May 2023, UMPK-equipped FAB-500 glide bombs have continued to be used by Russia in Ukraine, with up to 20 of them being dropped every day, and Ukrainian air defences lack the capability to intercept them.[15] [16] The full-scale training of Russian pilots on using the bombs reportedly started in November 2023.[17]

According to the Institute for the Study of War, FAB-500 "hold an explosive weight of 150 kilograms, have a damage radius of 250 meters, and can destroy headquarters, warehouses, and concrete and reinforced concrete objects."[18]

Operational envelope (FAB-500 M-62)

Variants

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FAB-500 M-62 high-explosive bomb . Rosoboronexport .
  2. Web site: U.S.S.R. BOMB, FAB-250 M46, General purpose . www.jmu.edu.
  3. Web site: Russian Aviation Bombs . www.globalsecurity.org.
  4. Web site: FAB-500 . Guide to Military Equipment and Civil Aviation . 2017-07-15 . 2018-03-15 . dmy-all.
  5. Web site: Axe . David . Russia’s Got A Giant New Glide-Bomb . Forbes . 25 July 2024 . en.
  6. Web site: 2004 . Afghanistan Ordnance Identification Guide. Center for International Stabilization and Recovery.
  7. Web site: DFID funded EOD team defuses 500kg aircraft bomb in Herat city. The HALO Trust.
  8. Web site: 2017-02-15 . The Su-22 Is Syria's War-Weary Warhorse . 2018-03-15 . War Is Boring. dmy-all.
  9. Web site: 2017-02-15 . Three FAB-500 aerial bombs found in Chernihiv . 2022-03-05 . news 24 . dmy-all . 2022-03-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305184743/https://news24online.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-three-fab-500-aerial-bombs-found-chernihiv-219eab39/ . dead .
  10. Web site: In Chernihiv, three unexploded 500kg bombs discovered in residential areas.. ukrinform.net. 13 March 2022. 10 September 2022. en.
  11. Web site: Rescuers defuse two 500-kg aircraft bombs in Odesa Oblast . english.nv.ua. 14 May 2022 . 10 September 2022.
  12. Web site: Mystery Surrounds Appearance of Russian Aerial Bombs Fitted with Wings. kyivpost. 31 March 2023. 5 April 2023.
  13. Web site: UMPK guided bomb . globalsecurity. 27 March 2023. 5 April 2023.
  14. Web site: Russia uses its own kind of "smart" bombs in Sumy Oblast . Yahoo. 24 March 2023. 5 April 2023.
  15. Web site: Russia deploys up to 20 guided bombs each day – Ukraine's Air Force . Yahoo. 4 April 2023. 7 April 2023.
  16. News: Russia’s Old Bombs Elude Ukraine’s Modern Defenses . New York Times . Jeffrey . Gettleman . Eric . Schmitt . 26 May 2023. 27 May 2023.
  17. Web site: ЦАМТО / / В ВКС начнется массовое обучение летчиков применению «умных авиабомб» . ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием . 2023-12-01 . ru . . 2023-12-03.
  18. Web site: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 30, 2023 . Karolina Hird. Christina Harward. Kateryna Stepanenko . Angelica Evans . Frederick W. Kagan . understandingwar.org. 2023-10-30 . 2023-11-01.
  19. Web site: High-explosive bomb FAB-500 M-62 | Catalog Rosoboronexport . roe.ru.
  20. Book: Gordon, Yefim. Soviet / Russian aircraft weapons : since World War Two. 2004. 158. Midland Publishing. 1857801881. Hinkley. 56650196.
  21. Web site: ФАБ-500М-54 . 2022-03-08. dmy-all . aviaros.narod.ru.
  22. Web site: 2015 . United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) – Ammunition Identification Guide – Libya .
  23. Web site: ФАБ-500М-62 . 2022-03-08. dmy-all . aviaros.narod.ru.
  24. Web site: FAB-250 General purpose Bomb . 2022-03-07 . www.globalsecurity.org.
  25. Web site: Авиационное бомбовое вооружение . dmy-all . 2022-03-07 . www.militaryparitet.com.
  26. Web site: ФАБ-250ТС/500ТС . dmy-all . 2022-03-07 . www.airwar.ru.
  27. Web site: General-purpose HE fragmentation bomb OFAB-500U Catalog Rosoboronexport. dmy-all . 2022-03-13 . roe.ru.

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