Ukrainian MiGs strike hard with French bombs and Cold War tactics
The Ukrainian Air Force continues its attacks on Russian targets, with MiGs remaining as the main strike aircraft. We provide a behind-the-scenes look at one of these bombings.
The Ukrainian Air Force is gaining strength thanks to the delivery of F-16 aircraft, but strike missions on ground targets, as evidenced by published recordings, remain the responsibility of the remaining MiG-29 fleet. These MiGs have been rejuvenated with units transferred by Poland and Slovakia.
MiG-29 aircraft usually carry American glide bombs such as GBU-39 SDB or French AASM Hammer. The tactic involves low-altitude flying followed by a TOSS maneuver when releasing the bombs. This maneuver consists of the aircraft quickly ascending just before dropping the bombs and then diving back down after their release. The initial stage is clearly visible in the recording below, where a Ukrainian MiG-29 rapidly ascends using its afterburner.
TOSS tactic — A strategy that significantly increases the range of aerial bombs
This bombing method was developed during the Cold War and allows aircraft to fly at low altitude and high speed, enabling bomb drops not directly over the target.
These tactics offer good defense against medium-range ground-based anti-aircraft systems due to the so-called radar horizon, which restricts ground radar range to a maximum of about 25 miles for low-flying objects. Simply put, an air defense system with a range like the S-300 (over 62 miles) cannot target an object flying 160-650 feet above the ground from more than 25 miles away.
The exception is when an anti-aircraft battery receives target information from another radar or an AWACS-type aircraft, which does not face radar horizon limitations because its radar is airborne. However, the Russians have very limited capabilities in this area, and their alternative option is using tall masts for radar systems. Even these have range limitations, making it easier to detect the position of a key component of the air defense battery.
This gives Ukrainian pilots an opportunity to carry out precise strikes, although not without risk and potential losses. It is worth noting that the Russians recently downed a second F-16.
Ukrainian tactics and AASM Hammer bombs — A perfect combination
For glide bombs, the Ukrainians have also been equipped with quite unique guided bombs known as the AASM Hammer, created by the French company Safran. These bombs have a much greater range compared to competitors in similar conditions.
A distinct feature of the French bombs, often seen on MiGs, is the rocket booster that provides additional propulsion, enabling them to hit targets at distances of up to 9 miles even when dropped at a low altitude. This allows them to attack targets secured by systems like the Pantir-S1 from a safe distance.
