Russian arms upgrades: Rising from the ashes despite global tech ban

The wreck of the Russian guided FAB-500 bomb with a UMPK module was discovered in October 2023 in the Orichov region of the Zaporizhia area. An analysis of weapon components and comparisons with previously captured specimens suggest that the Russians are systematically upgrading their equipment. But where do they get the complex electronic parts that are not manufactured in Russia? The origins of these parts remain a mystery as the Russians erase all traces of component sourcing.

The FAB-500 discovered in October shows signs of substantial improvements. The Russians have used the Comet-M navigation module, intended for drones, and the sophisticated SMART navigation controller. These systems are powered by two batteries which, in addition to powering the bomb's aileron-controlling servo mechanism, they also send an impulse to activate the pyrotechnic mechanism for deploying the wings of the UMPK module.

This study is the work of the British research group Confused Armament Research (CAR). Their analysis found that electronic modifications, combined with UMPK modules, extended the effective range of Russian bombs by approximately 22-25 miles. The bomb discovered in October 2023 was compared with an equivalent one, which the Russians dropped in the Bachmut region in January of the same year.

Markings on the electronic parts indicate they were produced in July 2023 (markings on the electronics of the bomb found in the Bachmut area suggest they were produced in September 2022). This implies that during the war in Ukraine, the aggressors were using equipment consisting of parts manufactured just 3-4 months earlier. The Russian arms industry seems capable of building such a stockpile of production components with its current capabilities.

All identifying traces of the manufacturers have been removed from the electronics. The Russians are adamant about protecting their supply sources, regardless of whether these parts were purchased or acquired by other means - it has even been noticed at some point that Russians were stealing western agricultural machinery to extract electronics.