Ukrainian air force turns MiG‑29s into precision strike machines

Ukrainians are using their modest number of combat aircraft to attack key Russian positions. The most popular aircraft among Ukrainians is the MiG-29, now integrated with Western glide bombs. Let's explore what they use and how they do it.

The Ukrainian Air Force currently has a limited number of pre-war planes, including the MiG-29, Su-27, Su-24 strike aircraft, and Su-25 assault aircraft. The Russians continuously hunt them, sometimes succeeding in hitting actual planes instead of decoys.

The situation is expected to improve with the delivery of F-16s, although fewer than expected, likely due to a shortage of trained pilots and Mirage 2000s. Until then, Ukraine must make do with what it has. Due to refurbishments with aircraft from Slovakia and Poland, their MiG fleet is in the best condition.

Ukrainian MiGs have been seen with AASM Hammer, JDAM-ER, and GBU-39 SDB-guided bombs. These are mounted using an improvised adapter that includes part of a tower from an aircraft compatible with NATO standards and attaches to the proper MiG pylon. Target coordinates are uploaded before takeoff or manually added by the Ukrainian pilot via an additional tablet connected to the weapon's rail in the cockpit.

Judging by the explosion in the recording below, a heavier bomb weighing at least 550 pounds struck the Russian position. This indicates an AASM Hammer or JDAM-ER was used.

JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition - Extended Range) are advanced guided bombs that precisely target distant objectives. They are equipped with GPS and INS (Inertial Navigation System) modules, ensuring high accuracy within a few meters. However, their precision is reduced if electronic warfare systems disrupting satellite navigation operate nearby.

On the other hand, foldable wings that allow the bomb to glide after being dropped from high altitudes provide a range of up to 43 miles. This is problematic because the carrier aircraft can be easily detected by, for example, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems capable of shooting down aircraft over distances of more than 62 miles.

One way to minimize the risk is to fly at low altitudes and climb shortly before releasing the bomb to provide greater range. For JDAMs, this will be a few miles away, but the French AASM Hammer (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bombs offer additional capabilities.

These bombs are equipped with a rocket engine that provides a range of up to 9 miles in such conditions. They also feature a more advanced set of guidance heads based on a laser beam or infrared sensor that detects the thermal image of the target. Such guidance heads allow for targeting with an accuracy of less than a meter, even on moving targets in any condition. However, they are expensive or require an observer to illuminate the target with a laser beam.

Both modules are designed to be mounted on standard Mk 82/83/84 air bombs weighing 500 lbs, 1000 lbs (JDAM-ER only), and 2000 lbs. This is a highly effective tool, which the Russians have also learned to use extensively by deploying FAB bombs with UMPK modules to bomb Ukrainians.