Ukrainian MiG‑29s enhance strike capabilities with advanced US bombs

An intriguing photo of a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft carrying eight GBU-39 SDB guided bombs has surfaced online. These bombs allow pilots to target four times more objectives in a single flight compared to conventional bombs. We explain how this is possible and present the capabilities of these American-guided bombs.

The Ukrainians are trying to utilize the remnants of their air force as efficiently as possible. One example is increasing the number of targets struck during a single combat flight.

Similar to the Su-24 aircraft carrying Storm Shadow cruise missiles, the photo below shows that the Ukrainians employ some adapters. It most likely originates from a NATO-compatible aircraft and is attached to the appropriate tower of the MiG. This combination allows for the use of the BRU-61/A launcher, which can hold up to four GBU-39 SDB bombs.

The GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), which has been in service with the USAF since 2006, weighs 270 pounds and is 6 feet long. It is designed for precise target engagement.

In theory, the accuracy is around 3 feet, but under strong electronic warfare conditions that jam GPS signals, the precision can be lower. However, it is important to note that there is a GBU-39/B variant that uses a laser beam for guidance and maintains 100% declared accuracy even in difficult conditions. This variant requires, for example, a ground observer or a drone to illuminate the target with a laser beam until the hit.

The SDB bomb has foldable wings, allowing it to engage targets as far as approximately 69 miles when dropped from a high altitude. The 205-pound warhead can operate in several modes. One mode is an airburst that creates a shower of fragments piercing any unarmored or unprotected objects. The second mode involves delayed detonation.

In this scenario, according to Boeing, the SDB bomb can penetrate 35 inches of reinforced concrete, making it ideal for attacking fortified positions or, for example, reinforced hangars at airports.

It should be noted that a launcher was also developed for the SDB bombs, allowing the carrying of up to four units on a tower with a capacity well below one ton. For example, the entire load of four SDB bombs placed on the BRU-61/A launcher weighs a little over 1,323 pounds.

In the case of the MiG-29 aircraft, four out of seven pylons can carry a load of up to 16 bombs compared to four larger ones. This enables targeting a much larger number of objectives while retaining, for example, air-to-air missiles for self-defense.