Russian Air Force Unveils FAB-3000 Powerful Aerial Bomb Fitted with Guidance Kit Used in Ukraine.

A recently released video from the Russian Ministry of Defense, dated July 14, 2024, reveals that the Russian Air Force is now deploying the formidable FAB-3000 aerial bomb. Enhanced with UMPK (Unified Module of Planning and Correction) modules, this weapon has been transformed into a highly precise and immensely powerful explosive device.
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The video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense shows a Russian Air Force Su-34 bomber launching a FAB-3000 aerial bomb fitted with a UMPK guidance kit during a strike in Ukraine. (Picture source: Russian MoD)

The recent video published by the Russian Ministry of Defense shows a Su-34 bomber aircraft launching a FAB-3000 fitted with the UMPK (Unified Module of Planning and Correction) module, a Russian copy of the American-made JDAM-ER module, a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions. The JDAM-ER extends the range of the bomb significantly by adding a wing kit, allowing the bomb to glide to its target from a greater distance.

The UMPK modules include a guidance section based on a combination of inertial navigation (less precise but works under any conditions) and satellite navigation (more precise but susceptible to jamming). Additionally, the conversion kit contains foldable wings and a tail section with control surfaces, allowing for a controlled gliding flight.

As a result, a cheap weapon with over one hundred times the explosive power of an artillery shell (TNT load is up to 18-22 pounds) capable of destroying even the most powerful fortifications is created. With the FAB-3000 bomb weighing three tons (half of which is TNT), even missing by a few dozen or 328 feet doesn't make much difference. The shockwave causes destruction even hundreds of feet from the explosion site, and the range of the fragments can exceed 0.6 miles.

The range of these bombs depends on the dropping speed and altitude; the higher and faster, the better. This allows the Russians to drop bombs 37-43 miles away from the target, which is far beyond the range of Ukrainian short-range air defense systems (a maximum of approximately 25 miles).

The FAB-3000 is a Soviet-designed, general-purpose high-explosive aerial bomb, notable for its significant destructive capabilities. Weighing approximately 3,000 kilograms (6,614 pounds), the bomb measures around 4.2 meters (13.8 feet) in length and 0.64 meters (2.1 feet) in diameter. It is typically filled with Tritonal, a mixture of TNT and aluminum powder, which enhances its explosive power. Various types of fuzes, including impact and time-delayed fuzes, can be used depending on the mission requirements. The explosive charge of the FAB-3000 bomb is approximately 1,400 kilograms (3,086 pounds) of high-explosive material.

The FAB-3000 has a large blast radius, capable of causing extensive damage to buildings, fortifications, and infrastructure. The exact radius depends on factors such as the altitude of detonation and the environment. This bomb can penetrate reinforced concrete and other fortified structures before detonating, making it effective against bunkers and underground facilities. Upon detonation, the bomb casing shatters, sending high-velocity fragments over a wide area, increasing its lethality against personnel and light vehicles. The explosion also generates a powerful shockwave that can cause structural collapse and significant damage to nearby objects and individuals.

The FAB-3000 bomb is designed to be carried under the wings or fuselage of smaller aircraft, as well as in the bomb bays of larger bombers. Despite its size, which might classify it as a High-Capacity (HC) bomb, its design and construction align with that of a large General-Purpose (GP) bomb.

Close view of the FAB-500 aerial bomb fitted with UMPK guided kit. (Picture source Russian MoD)