The Devastating Impact of FAB Glide Bombs

In the Ukraine war the usage of highly sophisticated weapons, including FAB Glide Bombs, has become obvious, and they pose a major problem for Ukrainian fighters on the front line.

The Russian-made weapons have produced the majority of the damages and represent one of the most complex problems for the Ukrainian defenses.

What are FAB Glide Bombs?

FAB (Free-fall Aerial Bomb) glide bombs are a class of unguided munitions that are dropped by the aircraft with a deployable wing that enables them to glide toward their target after the release from an aircraft.

The fact that it reduces their vulnerability and extends their range and effectiveness when compared to conventional free-fall bombs is significant.

Variants and Capabilities

FAB-2500

With a weight of 2,500 kilograms, this bomb delivers a high explosive payload, its flight range of 15 kilometers is the longest among glide bombs.

FAB-500M

With a weight of 500 kg, this bomb proves to be a middle power, with the ability to glide over 10 kilometers.

Though the Russian MOD has not confirmed the existence of a certain class named a “FAB Glide Bomb”, there are a few Russian guided bombs based on a wide range of non-guided unguided FAB bombs, and those have been modified with the help of guidance kits.

Here are two of the most prominent:

1. FAB-500 M62 with UMPK guidance kit

Description: This glide bomb variation is made of a FAB-500 type- M62 unguided bomb weighing 500 kg (1,100 lb) which has been in service use since the early 1960s.

Not only is it provided with a folding wing kit and a guidance system, but the navigation is believed to be using GLONASS (translated to GPS in Russian language) for navigation.

Capabilities: The UMPK navigation system for FAB-500 M62 missiles allegedly has done the range extension of the missiles to about 70 km (43 mi), thus the aircraft can take-offs outside the range of many air defense systems. the bomb was enhanced concerning the accuracy, unlike the unguided version.

Destructive power: The FAB-500 M62 has a 300 kg (660 lb) warhead that is potent enough to destroy concrete buildings, and bridges, overturn and destroy combat vehicles.

2. FAB-1500 M54 with GLONASS guidance

Description: This one is based on the FAB-1500 M54 unguided bomb which is a high-explosive only 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Also like the FAB-500 M62 system, it is geared with a guidance system that is said to be using the GLONASS navigation system.

Capabilities: The declared flight range of the FAB-1500 M54 using GLONASS navigation is about 40 km or 25 mi, approximately. This warhead is meant to be launched against more sizable targets and fortified positions.

Destructive power: The FAB-1500 M54 is a mighty bomb, which has a payload of 1,100 kg (2,400 lb), which also significantly contributes to the Russian aircraft’s arsenal.

This is crucial because what we know about these glide bombs, or their characteristics and abilities, is very often reported about from open-source queries and therefore may be inaccurate.

Furthermore, work in the development of new glide bomb variants continues, and more findings might be coming shortly.

Impact on the Frontline

The deployment of FAB glide bombs has had a devastating impact on the Ukrainian frontline in several ways:

Increased Destructive Power: When we compare an unguided artillery shell with an FAB bomb, we observe that these bombs carry a payload of explosives much more than the artillery shells can destroy a large area and cause high casualties.

Enhanced Targeting: Although it doesn’t come with laser guidance, FAB bombs provide better accuracy than artillery — since there is the possibility to conduct more precise targeting of the Ukrainian infrastructure and military equipment.

Psychological Impact: The specific sound of FAB bombs on the approach sounds like an airplane descending, it creates a chilling environment in which Ukrainian soldiers become demoralized.

The challenge to Defenses: Exploiting the far range and gliding parameters of the FAB bombs the challenges in the interception of those by using the traditional air defense systems are increasing, thus they become a serious threat to the Ukrainian forces which are poorly equipped with the air defense capabilities.

Ukrainian Response and Challenges

Fortification and Dispersion: Ukrainian forces have improved their situation by strengthening their outposts and stationing combat units farther apart to minimize casualties resulting from FAB bombing attacks.

Improved Air Defense: There is progress in procuring the latest air defense systems and exploiting them against fabricated air bombs.

Counter-Offensive Strategies: Ukraine’s armed forces are planning another counter-offensive in 2025 to sustainably destroy Russian supply lines and render ineffective their ability to drop their FAB bombs.

The Future of FAB Glide Bombs

The usage of FAB glide bombs shortly is still possible and hence, the ongoing assistance to Ukraine in acquiring modern air defense assets and developing suitable counter-measures is highly relevant.

Despite this, the very role and nature of modern warfare are becoming an ever more complex and ever-changing matter, which requires armed forces to continuously adapt to the new technological developments during military operations.

Beyond the Military Impact

The damaging effects of the FAB glide bombs even go way beyond the battlefield as the ballistic munitions affect both civilians and critical utilities.

The blasts can cause general damage to the residential areas, hospitals, and essential services, worsening the situation of the humanitarian consequences of the Ukrainian crisis.

Conclusion

With practically no countermeasures in place and acting as a fearsome munition on the Ukrainian frontlines, the FAB glide bomb has struck terror in the hearts of both Ukrainian forces and civilians.

Understanding its capabilities and effects is fundamental in dealing with the current problem and seeing the need for more international solidarity with Ukraine.