| FAB-500 series | |
|---|---|
.jpg) FAB-500M-62 (marked incyrillic:ФАБ-500М-62) | |
| Type | Unguidedhigh-capacity/general-purposeaerial bomb |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Production history | |
| Produced |
|
| Variants | KAB-500 (guided bomb) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) |
| Length | 2,470 millimetres (97.2 in) |
| Diameter | 400 millimetres (15.7 in) |
| Filling | High explosive |
| Filling weight | 201 kilograms (440 lb) |
TheFAB-500 (cyrillic:ФАБ-500, acronym forRussian:фугасной авиационная бомба, ”high-capacityaerial bomb”) is aSoviet/Russian designation forgeneral purposehigh-explosiveaerial bombs of the 500-kilogram (1,100 lb) class. Starting in 1931 with the FAB-500sv, later models are today primarily used by theRussian Aerospace Forces, former Soviet republics and customer countries.
The latest bombs in the series use theUMPK, a winged system developed after 2022 Ukraine war, for precision satellite guidance and increased stand-off distance.[1]
The first model of the series began construction, together with the downscaled 250 kgFAB-250sv, in 1929. Their characteristics were similar, except that, in this bomb, the conical tail cone was welded to the cylinder of the body. Test were carried out throughout 1931, yielding satisfactory results, resulting in series production beginning immediately that year.[2]
In early 1932, necessary changes were made for its operation and continued production. The attachment point was modified, as with the FAB 250, with a second lift eyelet behind the lift eyelet, attached to the bomb by rivets. The joint between the cylindrical body and conical tail was strengthened by increasing the length of the inner lip of the conical tail cone which passes under the cylindrical edge for improved safety. In 1933, the second lift eyelets connection was updated from a riveted one to a retaining collar clamped around the body. In 1934, the lift eyelet also had its connection strengthened by the addition of a retaining collar clamped around the body, with the stabilizing fins being connected to the tail cone by discontinuous segments of welding. In 1935 the construction was updated by reducing the weight of approximately three kilograms.[2]
Aerial bomb development during World War II was limited. In 1943, the long welded FAB-500M-43 rolled out, and in 1944 the short stubby FAB-500M-44, which was followed by the similar FAB-500M-46 just after the war, featuring a nose ring for increased drag.
The FAB-500M-54 model was rolled out in 1954, shaped forinternal carriage by heavy bombers.
The FAB-500M-62 rolled out in 1962, a low-drag bomb intended for carriage on externalhardpoints on fighter bombers etc.[3] Early models wereunguided, with a single nose fuze, and compatible with most models ofSoviet aircraft.[4]
The FAB-500sv was used throughoutWorld War 2 and supplied to various countries and beligrants. Prior to WWII it was supplied to theSpanish Republic during theSpanish Civil War, there being designatedR-500, the R standing for its Russian origin, followed by the weight of the bomb.
The FAB-500 was widely employedover Afghanistan by Soviet and allied Afghan forces in the 1980s and saw use during the 2011-2019Syrian civil war, where it was carried by both Russian and Syrian warplanes.[5][6][7]
The M-62 variant has been used by Russian military forces in the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[8] On 13 March 2022 and 14 May 2022, FAB-500 bombs were found in Ukrainian cities ofChernihiv[9] andOdesa.[10]
In March 2023, RussianSu-35s launched a number of FAB-500 M-62, wreckage of which indicated that they had been fitted with anUMPK, a glide kit involving pop-out wings. It is unknown whether these had an internal navigation system, or were fitted with wings simply to extend the range to up to 70 km.[11] It also is believed that these give Russian aircraft a stand-off ability to hit Ukrainian targets without risking exposure to Ukrainian air defences.[12][13]
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As of May 2023, UMPK-equipped FAB-500glide bombs have continued to be used by Russia in Ukraine, with up to 20 of them being dropped every day, and Ukrainian air defences lack the capability to intercept them.[11][14] The full-scale training of Russian pilots on using the bombs reportedly started in November 2023.[15]
According to theInstitute for the Study of War, FAB-500 "hold an explosive weight of 150 kilograms, have a damage radius of 250 meters, and can destroy headquarters, warehouses, and concrete and reinforced concrete objects."[16]
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India
Indonesia
Malaysia
Mali
People's Republic of China
Republic of China
Russia
Soviet Union
Spanish Republic (FAB-500sv)[2]
Vietnam
Venezuela