Russian FAB-1500 Glide Bomb Flight Path Can Be Remotely Corrected

The Russian military has showcased the ability to guide a one-and-a-half-ton high-explosive aerial bomb, the FAB-1500, with precision over long distances, a feature previously considered unattainable for such weaponry.

According to Russian defense ministry-controlled media, this development represents a departure from conventional destructive capabilities, positioning the FAB-1500 as a strategic tool capable of delivering precise strikes akin to surgical operations. This newfound precision is touted as a potential game-changer in altering the dynamics of conflict zones where the Russian Armed Forces operate.

Russian Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu recently conducted an inspection of a defense industry enterprise in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where he was briefed on the increased production rates for various bomb types. This included a twofold increase in the manufacturing of FAB-1500 bombs and the commencement of mass production for FAB-3000 starting February 2024.

These developments come days after Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Ivan Gavrylyuk, claimed that Russia has dropped more than 3,500 aerial bombs on the positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of 2024.

Since the beginning of 2023, Russian tactics have evolved with the integration of corrected aerial bombs featuring the Universal Planning and Correction Module (UMPK). This transformative apparatus effectively converts conventional free-falling unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions. Initially deployed on modified 250- and 500-kilogram bombs, Russia has advanced to outfitting larger payloads, including the FAB-1500 and cassette RBK-500, with these modules.

Russian weapons experts have also upgraded guided aerial bombs such as the FAB-250M-62, FAB-500M-54/62, RBC-500, and FAB-1500M54 to achieve higher target precision, reduced radar signature, and increased gliding range.