TechRussia's high-speed FAB-500T bombs fail to detonate in Kharkiv

Russia's high-speed FAB‑500T bombs fail to detonate in Kharkiv

At the end of June, the Russians attacked targets in Kharkiv using rare FAB-500T bombs, which did not explode. We explain how this variant differs from standard FAB family aerial bombs.

A Russian unexploded FAB-500T bomb that hit a residential building in Kharkiv.
A Russian unexploded FAB-500T bomb that hit a residential building in Kharkiv.
Images source: © Armed Forces of Ukraine

8:13 PM EDT, July 1, 2024

In the airstrikes on Kharkiv in the last week of June 2024, the Russians used unique FAB-500T bombs designed specifically for dropping from MiG-25 aircraft during high-speed flights.

According to the Defense Express portal, two bombs equipped with UMPK modules did not explode. These could be refurbished old bombs from the 1960s/70s or new production models. Regardless of their origin, their fuse was defective, which is common in new Russian weapons.

FAB-500T aerial bombs - variant intended for high-speed drops

FAB-500T bombs are a special variant of the FAB-500 bomb, designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase resistance to the high temperatures resulting from air friction. The T variant was intended to withstand the temperature conditions at Mach 2.4 (about 1,864 mph) and survive the g-forces during high-speed drops.

As a result, the bomb flew along a ballistic path rather than just falling, resulting in a range of 18-25 miles. Additionally, by using the same high-speed drop tactic and equipping the bombs with a UMPK (Unified Planning and Correction Module) containing retractable wings, the flight range could be doubled due to gliding. With its satellite and inertial navigation systems, the module theoretically allows the bomb to hit its target with an accuracy of a few to a few dozen meters.

FAB-500T bombs contain around 573 lbs of TNT, slightly less than the 661 lbs for regular FABs. However, this difference is negligible because an aerial bomb is dozens of times more destructive than an artillery shell containing at most 20-22 lbs of TNT for a 155 mm caliber.

Furthermore, adapting the bombs for high-speed drops significantly increases the chances of Russian pilots performing evasive maneuvers in case of Ukrainian fire. A plane carrying standard FAB bombs must fly at a lower speed and cannot perform full-range maneuvers due to, among other things, the g-forces.

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