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A '''glide bomb''' is a conventional "dumb bomb" or "gravity bomb" with attached wings that make the bomb glide farther from its original aerial drop point.

A '''glide bomb''' is a conventional "dumb bomb" or "gravity bomb" with attached wings that make the bomb glide farther from its original aerial drop point.

==FAB 500 specifications==

==FAB specifications==

The arsenal consists of 50 kg FAB-50 to the FAB-500, the FAB-2000, FAB-3000, FAB-5000, and the monstrous FAB-9000, which features a conventional explosive charge of about 4,300 kg of [[TNT]] – about half the blast yield caused by the W54 – the world’s smallest tactical [[nuclear bomb]].

The arsenal consists of 50 kg FAB-50 to the FAB-500, the FAB-2000, FAB-3000, FAB-5000, and the monstrous FAB-9000,<ref>[https://youtu.be/w-63KOeKB6Q The last thing Ukrainians hear is the sound of it falling from the sky | Elephant Bomb FAB-9000]</ref> which features a conventional explosive charge of about 4,300 kg of [[TNT]] – about half the blast yield caused by the W54 – the world’s smallest tactical [[nuclear bomb]].

The FAB 500 can travel up to 100 km, can be fired from behind Russian defensives lines, while the aircraft delivery vehicle is not exposed to enemy air defense systems.<ref>https://kyivindependent.com/russias-smart-bombs-pose-increasingly-serious-threat-to-ukraine/</ref> The FAB-1500s can reportedly be launched up to 50 km from the target and up to 10 km up, and be carried both by strategic bombers, like the Tupolev Tu-95 and the Tupolev Tu-160, and by tactical strike jets like the Sukhoi Su-27 and Sukhoi [[Su-34]].

The FAB 500 can travel up to 100 km, can be fired from behind Russian defensives lines, while the aircraft delivery vehicle is not exposed to enemy air defense systems.<ref>https://kyivindependent.com/russias-smart-bombs-pose-increasingly-serious-threat-to-ukraine/</ref> The FAB-1500s can reportedly be launched up to 50 km from the target and up to 10 km up, and be carried both by strategic bombers, like the Tupolev Tu-95 and the Tupolev Tu-160, and by tactical strike jets like the Sukhoi Su-27 and Sukhoi [[Su-34]].

The FAB-500 has a cost of US $3,200 apiece, with the addition of the UMPK guidance kit adding 30 to 50 percent to the cost, compared with the American equivalent by weight [[Tomahawk]] cruise missile with a cost of US $720,000.<ref>[https://www.bitchute.com/video/MdXkKSeaKqXR/ History of the Russian UMPK Glide Bomb], Apr 01, 2024.</ref>

The FAB-500 has a cost of US $3,200 apiece, with the addition of the UMPK guidance kit adding 30 to 50 percent to the cost, compared with the American equivalent by weight [[Tomahawk cruise missile]] with a cost of US $720,000.<ref>[https://www.bitchute.com/video/MdXkKSeaKqXR/ History of the Russian UMPK Glide Bomb], Apr 01, 2024.</ref>

The FAB-3000 is a 3,000 kg weapon or 6,300 lbs. It differs from the others in the FAB series as it evidently includes a small rocket booster in order to extend the range of the weapon and uses a somewhat sophisticated type of GPS guidance.  Reports indicate it has a range between 80 km to 100 km (roughly between 50 to 62 miles), assuming the launch is from high altitude.

The FAB-3000 is a 3,000 kg weapon or 6,300 lbs.<ref>https://t.me/wartimedia/100157</ref>  It differs from the others in the FAB series as it evidently includes a small rocket booster in order to extend the range of the weapon and uses a somewhat sophisticated type of GPS guidance.  Reports indicate it has a range between 80 km to 100 km (roughly between 50 to 62 miles), assuming the launch is from high altitude. Open-source reporting and statements from [[Ukrainian military intelligence]] indicate that Russia has developed and combat-tested a new class of long-range, powered glide bombs that incorporate small jet or rocket motors to extend their stand-off reach. Ukrainian officials and multiple media outlets report operational use and a claimed operational radius of 150–200 km, though some public reporting cites shorter figures in the 100–150 km range.

==NATO war in Ukraine==

==NATO war in Ukraine==

During the [[Special Military Operation on the territory of Ukraine]] in the 2020s, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation converted thousands of conventional 500kg, 1000kg, and 1500kg gravity bombs from an enormous stockpile built up since the 1960s, with a "glide kit", attaching wings that unfold after being dropped and adding a precision guidance system in a nose kit.<ref>[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/8831623.html Evolution of UMPK], colonelcassad. December 16, 2023. colonelcassad.livejournal.com</ref> The Russian modified glide bombs have an advantage over [[Western alliance|Western]] [[cruise missile]]s, in that none of its weight is wasted on carrying an expensive engine and fuel, they carry a very large warhead, and are relatively cheap in comparison to Western cruise missiles. They have been called the Russian counterpart of the US [[JDAM]], only much less expensive.<ref>https://westobserver.com/news/europe/russian-glide-bomb-compared-to-american-jdam/</ref>

During the [[Special Military Operation on the territory of Ukraine]] in the 2020s, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation converted thousands of conventional 500kg, 1000kg, and 1500kg gravity bombs from an enormous stockpile built up since the 1960s, with a "glide kit", attaching wings that unfold after being dropped and adding a precision guidance system in a nose kit.<ref>[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/8831623.html Evolution of UMPK], colonelcassad. December 16, 2023. colonelcassad.livejournal.com</ref> The Russian modified glide bombs have an advantage over [[Western alliance|Western]] [[cruise missile]]s, in that none of its weight is wasted on carrying an expensive engine and fuel, they carry a very large warhead, and are relatively cheap in comparison to Western cruise missiles. They have been called the Russian counterpart of the US [[JDAM]], only much less expensive.<ref>https://westobserver.com/news/europe/russian-glide-bomb-compared-to-american-jdam/</ref>

Various versions of the Russian glide bomb were used to devastating effect in the [[NATO war in Ukraine]].<ref>[https://bmanalysis.substack.com/p/renaissance-of-the-bomb-gliding-fabs Renaissance of the Bomb - Gliding FABs] Russian Glide Bombs - a true menace, MIKE MIHAJLOVIC, MAR 10, 2024. bmanalysis.substack.com</ref>

Various versions of the Russian glide bomb were used to devastating effect in the [[NATO war in Ukraine]].<ref>[https://bmanalysis.substack.com/p/renaissance-of-the-bomb-gliding-fabs Renaissance of the Bomb - Gliding FABs] Russian Glide Bombs - a true menace, [[Mike Mihajlovic]], MAR 10, 2024. bmanalysis.substack.com</ref>

The appearance of an upgraded UMPK kit made a qualitatively different leap in the destruction of [[Ukrainian Armed Forces]] targets from the air. The UMPK PD ( increased range ) is a larger wing area, making the gliding range increase by approximately 25-30%. Instead of 50-60 kilometres (for FAB-500), the range increased to 78-85 kilometres.  

The appearance of an upgraded UMPK kit made a qualitatively different leap in the destruction of [[Ukrainian Armed Forces]] targets from the air. The UMPK PD ( increased range ) is a larger wing area, making the gliding range increase by approximately 25-30%. Instead of 50-60 kilometres (for FAB-500), the range increased to 78-85 kilometres.  

Thanks to [[Alexander Stanislavovich Syrsky]], most of the air defense systems, including self-propelled [[S-300]]P/PS and numerous Buks, were destroyed near the front line.

Thanks to [[Alexander Stanislavovich Syrsky]], most of the air defense systems, including self-propelled [[S-300]]P/PS and numerous Buks, were destroyed near the front line.

==US Paveway IV==

==US Paveway IV==

*[https://youtu.be/c4ZiLNV0n3M Battlefield Ukraine New Russian Glide Bomb], Military and Foreign Affairs Network, May 24, 2024. [[YouTube]]

*[https://youtu.be/c4ZiLNV0n3M Battlefield Ukraine New Russian Glide Bomb], Military and Foreign Affairs Network, May 24, 2024. [[YouTube]]

*[https://thealtworld.com/anthony_cartalucci/fab-3000-accuracy FAB-3000 & Accuracy], [[Brian Berletic]], July 8, 2024. [[YouTube]]

*[https://thealtworld.com/anthony_cartalucci/fab-3000-accuracy FAB-3000 & Accuracy], [[Brian Berletic]], July 8, 2024. [[YouTube]]

[[Category:Weapons]][[Category:Russia-Ukraine War]]

[[Category:Weapons]][[Category:Russia-Ukraine War]]