Russian Army To Begin Using New 500 kg Glide Cluster Bomb In 2018

Techmash concern, Russia’s largest munitions manufacturer, will deliver a new cluster bomb called Drel (Drill) to the Russian Army in 2018.

"The state-run tests of a new model of the planned cluster bomb with a weight of 500 kilograms (0.55 tonnes) equipped with self-guided damage agents kicked off in 2016. The state-run tests are being carried out in accordance with the customer's program and after their completion in 2018, the bomb is going to be put into service," the director general of the Techmash, Vladimir Lepin was quoted as saying by Sputnik.

The Drel bomb will be used for targeting enemy vehicles, radar stations and command posts.

For the first time, the project was presented at the MAKS-2015 air show and the name Drel was announced at the Army-2016 military forum.

A three-meter bomb has a large wing and control surfaces enabling it to glide a distance of over 30 km (16 n miles) when dropped from high altitude. It is controlled by inertial navigation with correction by a satellite positioning receiver. The bomb is equipped with a defense complex from anti-aircraft missiles and electronic attack. It is almost impossible to detect and shoot down this bomb.

The unguided FAB-500 is set to be replaced with the “ Drel ” homing flying bomb.