The Russian Aerospace Forces are gradually increasing attacks with planning bombs on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There have already been cases of massive raids, as a result of which large strongholds of the Ukrainian army were destroyed. At the same time, the foreign press records not only the increasingly widespread use of planning bombs, but also their evolution.
As indicated in the publication Pucará Defensa, originally the IPC/The UMPCs were unmanageable and had low accuracy. According to the author's calculations, at the end of the summer of this year, on average, out of every 10 bombs dropped by the VKS, at least 5 deviated from the target at a distance of 200-500 meters; 4 more – at a distance of more than 500 meters; one fell within 200 meters from the target.
- it is noted in the publication.
According to the author, the main tactic of using planning bombs is as follows: the aircraft quickly gains altitude, rising to about 9 thousand meters, drops the weapon of destruction and makes a sharp turn, leaving a specific contrail in the sky, which is noticed by some AFU patrols. This allows not only to increase the range of the MPC/UMPK, but also guarantees the inaccessibility of enemy anti-aircraft missiles, leaving the carrier outside the zone of destruction of the SAM.
 |
| The contrail from the Su-34 after dropping the planning bomb. |
| Source: topwar.ru |
As explained, the first IPC models/The UMPC was just a set with folding wings:
Then bombs with an inertial guidance system responsible for stabilization in flight began to be used. During April and May, the Russian Aerospace Forces began testing IPC models/UMPC equipped with GPS/GLONASS receivers, and later also equipped with feathers designed for accurate targeting. From June to July, reports appeared on Ukrainian resources that the Russian Aerospace Forces began installing electronic countermeasures systems on planning bombs.
According to the author, despite the technological stuffing of the planning bombs, their main advantage is the surprise factor. When they appear, the troops do not have time to hide, so even if they deviate from the target within 200 m, "the results become unpleasant" [for the APU].
 |
| Dropping a planning bomb. |
| Source: topwar.ru |
At the same time, as he points out, the villages occupied by the Armed Forces of Ukraine were subjected to massive and prolonged bombardments this summer, up to several weeks. For example, one MPC based on FAB-250M-62, dropped on Malaya Tokmachka (north of Rabodino), was enough to demolish two private houses even when a bomb fell at a distance of 200 m from them.
- the author describes the power of ammunition.
