Russia reboots FAB-3000 bomb production, sparks 900m blast radius

Despite reduced ammunition shipments, conflict in Ukraine persists with ongoing Russian military activity, writes bulgarianmilitary.com, with Caliber.Az reprinting it for the convenience of its readers.

The conflict in Ukraine persistently rages on, defying any notions of an imminent cessation of hostilities. This can be observed in the ongoing artillery and ammunition supplies destined for Ukraine, albeit smaller than pre-2023 shipments. It’s also apparent in Russia’s unyielding production of weapons, in the face of burgeoning international sanctions.

A wide range of sources in Russia, such as state media, observers, and various social media users, unveiled a video dated March 21, which showcases the Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, paying a visit to the Plant named after Y. M. Sverdlov, in Dzerzhinsk, which is located in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The footage clearly presents a collection of munitions prepped for their presentation to the Russian minister. 

The FAB-500 and FAB-1500 bombs are far from unfamiliar in the Ukrainian conflict. The Russian Air Force uses the capabilities of the UMPK kit to enhance these bombs and predominantly launches them from the Su-34 fighter bombers. The UMPK, standing for Unified Gliding and Correction Module, serves to augment the traditional bomb’s efficacy.

The story unfolds somewhat differently with the third munition display, however. It draws from the same bomb family but surpasses others in size and warhead capacity. Russian sources have revealed the FAB-3000 bomb is now in mass production, suggesting that Ukrainian stations will soon experience this powerful bomb, complete with “integrated wings”. This transformation gives the FAB-3000 the capacity to function as a low-flying, long-range bomb, not only complicating Ukrainian air defense but also amplifying the scale of resulting explosions and destruction. 

While Ukrainian analysts question Russia’s decision to restart the production of the FAB-3000—a bomb dating back to 1946—they acknowledge that this bomb holds a unique distinction. Unlike the FAB-500 and the FAB-1500, the sheer size of the FAB-3000 restricts its launch to the Tu-22M3 strategic bombers. Further complicating matters, a single Tu-22M3 can only accommodate two of these bombs in one flight.

Stretching over three meters in length and topping the scales at three tons, the bomb carries a formidable explosive charge of 1.4 tons. This enormous weapon uses a triple fuse system for enhanced reliability. Is it explosive power? A staggering 1,400 kilograms of TNT equivalent. Just imagine—an explosion that parallels the power of detonating 1,400 kilograms of trinitrotoluene.

900m blast radius

Let’s delve a bit deeper into trinitrotoluene, frequently abbreviated as TNT. This is a chemical compound often used in explosives, primarily due to its ability to produce vast amounts of energy upon detonation. The energy dramatically unleashed as a shockwave, heat, and radiating light is a visual spectacle. Typically, the potency of one kilogram of TNT serves as a benchmark in these evaluations.

Therefore, when we state that a blast equals the detonation of 1,400 kg of TNT, we’re referring to an energy release equivalent to exploding 1,400 kg of TNT. That’s an intense energy output, unmistakably. To provide a perspective of this energy scale, recall the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima during World War II; it produced energy akin to approximately 15,000 tons of TNT!

There’s no denying the intimidating might of the FAB-3000. It projects a devastating blast radius of nearly 900 meters, which increases the potential for widespread damage. The perfect storm of a sizable warhead, extreme explosive strength, and an extensive blast zone earmarks the FAB-3000 as a threat not to be underestimated.

FAB-5000 and FAB-9000

The resurgence in the production of the FAB-3000 does raise eyebrows, yet it isn’t entirely unexpected. Nevertheless, it pales in comparison to its more ominous siblings – the FAB-5000 and FAB-9000 series bombs in Russia’s arsenal. Depending on the progression of the situation in Ukraine, these might too be brought back into production. The fascinating aspect here is the uniform standardization across the FAB series, where an increase in bomb size corresponds to similar increments in warhead size and explosive charge.

At approximately 5 tons or 5,000 kilograms, the FAB-5000 is aptly named. It measures about 5.2 meters in length and 1.1 meters in diameter. This bomb is loaded with TG-50 or TG-60, both of which are variants of the explosive trinitrotoluene [TNT]. The explosive material in the FAB-5000 weighs in at about 3,200 kilograms. 

Moving up in size and power, let’s examine the FAB-9000. It’s significantly heftier than its counterpart, weighing in at about 9 tons or 9,000 kilograms. It measures roughly 6.2 meters in length and has a diameter of 1.5 meters. A potent blend of RDX and TNT, known as A-IX-2, is used as the bomb’s explosive component, weighing about 6,100 kilograms.

The principle behind the design of the FAB-5000 and FAB-9000 is their ability to hit targets from high altitudes. The bombs reach maximum speed and destructive power when dropped from an altitude of approximately 12,000 meters. Upon impact, they generate a large blast radius and shock wave, making them effective against fortified structures, infrastructure, and large troop formations.

A very difficult target

Recent assessments from Western experts emphasize the enhanced power of the Russian Air Force in the conflict with Ukraine, largely due to the strategic use of “gliding bombs”. The persistent refusal of Ukraine to concede air superiority to Russia and its defense-backed aviation has been seriously tested by the extended-range strike capacities of these bombs.

Eastern Ukraine’s Military spokesperson, Dmytro Likhovy, cautions, “Regrettably, the devastation caused by these bombs is highly disconcerting.” He added that their effectiveness in demolishing houses and other structures is noteworthy, making them adept at destroying defensive fortifications. Ukrainian forces have their own arsenal of guided bombs, including the JDAM [Joint Direct Attack Munition] supplied by the US. However, despite their superior precision, their use has been limited by availability issues.

Last month’s events highlighted the powerful impact of Russian glide bombs in Avdiivka. Their usage was paramount in the city’s capture, reducing it to haunting, bomb-blasted debris. In the heart of the conflict, Maxim Zhorin, of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, recounted the downfall of 60 to 80 glide bombs each day. He revealed through the social network, Telegram, that a single bomb obliterated entire buildings and infrastructure. 

Konrad Muzyka, who leads the Rochan Defense Consultancy in Poland, observed a marked escalation in Russian airstrikes aimed at Ukrainian posts from mid-December. The majority of these strikes deployed glide bombs. “The Ukrainians are dealing with an escalating issue with these weapons,” stated Mykola Bieliskov, a defense analyst at Kyiv’s state-operated National Institute for Strategic Studies.

Russia’s UMPK is a game changer

Let’s consider the process of taking an ordinary, everyday bomb and providing it with a high-tech upgrade. This is exactly what the Unified Gliding and Correction Module [UMPK] accomplishes. It converts regular bombs into super-accurate, precision-guided weapons. 

The UMPK module is composed of a set of wings, a top-tier control system, and a GPS receiver. This combination is revolutionizing the use of traditional bombs. One significant advantage is the extended glide distance the wings provide, which ensures the safety of the aircraft and its crew. However, it’s more than just about covering greater distances. The UMPK features a guidance system connected to a GPS receiver for pin-point accuracy in strikes. The system manages real-time tracking information from the GPS to make any necessary alterations to the bomb’s descent path. 

In today’s battlefields, accuracy holds paramount importance. Attaching a UMPK module to a bomb transforms a “dumb bomb” into a “smart bomb.” The bomb doesn’t simply fall aimlessly – with the UMPK, it glides to its target, adjusting for elements such as wind and moving targets. This means our bombs are more effective and precise, and they also reduce the likelihood of inadvertently hitting the wrong target.