Ukraine hits back: American precision bombs take Russian targets
Ukrainian air forces have started using American-guided GBU-39 bombs on post-Soviet aircraft, reports the Defense Express portal, citing The Washington Post. The effectiveness of this weapon is estimated at about 90 percent, allowing Ukrainians to conduct more effective attacks on Russian positions.
10:03 AM EDT, May 26, 2024
The Ukrainians adapted post-Soviet aircraft to use GBU-39 bombs. Recently, photos showing this weapon mounted on towers, likely on a MiG-29 fighter, have surfaced online. Until now, Ukrainians did not possess the technology to carry and launch such ammunition from the air.
Reports about the installation of GBU-39 on Ukrainian aircraft—according to analysts—may explain some of the recent attacks on Russian positions, including an occupied hospital in Vovchansk. Suspicions that Ukrainians were using GBU-39 have surfaced recently, but there was no evidence proving that the defenders' army had the technical solutions to drop this weapon from aircraft.
GBU-39 bombs under a Ukrainian aircraft
It is also significant that the GBU-39 bombs are likely resistant to interference generated by Russian electronic warfare systems. Detecting and intercepting this American ammunition is difficult due to the missile's small size. It measures about 5.9 feet in length, just under 0.7 feet in diameter, and has a 4.6-foot wingspan during flight. A single bomb weighs nearly 287 pounds.
The precision of hitting targets with the GBU-39 bomb also remains significant. The hit accuracy is estimated at 16-26 feet, minimizing the risk of hitting a random civilian object. Accuracy is guaranteed not only by the GPS system but also by the wings of the bomb, which unfold during the dive phase. Thanks to these wings, a large strike range can be achieved, reaching up to 68 miles when the ammunition is dropped from a high altitude.
The GBU-39 can cause considerable devastation on the front primarily due to its difficulty in being detected and its potent destructive power. Equipped with a tungsten tip construction (fuselage), it can penetrate concrete shelters made of thick walls. The detonation system allows for a delayed explosion after impact.
As a result, GBU-39 can penetrate heavily fortified structures and detonate inside them, without the risk that concrete walls will protect the infrastructure from the strike. This capability can be leveraged by Ukrainians to attack objects occupied by Russians and shelters (e.g., aircraft shelters) where valuable tools, like airplanes, are hidden.
