In June 2024, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) for the first time used the FAB-3000 M54 high-explosive aerial bomb with a universal planning and correction module (UMPC) in the zone of a special military operation (SVO). Ammunition hit the temporary deployment point of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the village of Liptsy, Kharkiv region. The UMPC turns a free-falling bomb into a high-precision munition that allows aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces to drop it without entering the enemy's air defense (air defense) zone.
- What is FAB-3000?
- Characteristics of the FAB-3000
- The radius of defeat
- The use of FAB-3000 during its
- FAB-3000 with UMPC is used in the special operation zone
What is FAB-3000?
The FAB-3000 is one of the most powerful high—explosive bombs in the VKS arsenal. It is believed that Russia uses the FAB-3000 modification of the M54 in the special operation zone.
The main damaging effect of FAB is the action of a land mine. In addition to the products of the explosion, the enemy's objects are affected by the shock wave and fragments that occur when the bomb body is crushed. High-explosive bombs have a strong body that allows them to penetrate into the ground and penetrate the floor coverings of buildings.
Characteristics of the FAB-3000
The FAB-3000 of the 1954 model is designed to destroy structures when bombing from altitudes up to 16 kilometers and at flight speeds up to 1200 kilometers per hour. The bomb without fuses weighs 3067 kilograms, and the length of the FAB is 3000 M54 — 3.3 meters. The ammunition carries 1,387 kilograms of TNT. The bomb carriers can be, in particular, long-range Tu-22M3 bombers.
The radius of defeat
The maximum lethal radius of the FAB-3000 shock wave is 39 meters, and opponents within a radius of 158 meters can receive concussions that will disable them. At the same time, the radius of the fragmentation field can reach 260 meters when the hull is crushed and the target is destroyed.
meters
the radius of the fragmentation field FAB-3000
The use of FAB-3000 during its
The FAB-3000 bomb attack in Lipetsk was caught on video. The recording shows the ammunition hitting the end of the building. A powerful explosion damaged the wall of the building, and the shock wave destroyed its roof.
"The huge, murderous destructive force of three tons of explosives completely wipes out three buildings. This is very bad news for the Ukrainian troops," wrote Irish journalist Chay Bose, commenting on the use of the FAB-3000.
The telegram channel Fighterbomber suggested that the FAB-3000 dropped in the Kharkiv region was set for instant detonation for maximum high-explosive impact. At the same time, the message estimated the power of the ammunition as "slightly" exceeding the power of the FAB-1500 bomb.
Later, several more videos appeared showing the strikes of FAB-3000 bombs from UMPC. This may indicate the beginning of regular use of these munitions. In March, it became known about the beginning of mass production of the FAB-3000 in Russia.
FAB-3000 with UMPC is used in the special operation zone
The FAB-3000s used in the course of the SVO received their UMPC. Earlier, bombs of smaller calibers, including the FAB-1500 and FAB-500, were equipped with similar modules. For the first time, the adoption of high-precision gliding bombs into service with the Aerospace Forces became known in March 2023.
There is practically no official data on the UMPC device. Judging by the photos, the module with a folding wing is attached to standard bombs. It is believed that the UMPC housing houses the SMART navigation controller, the noise-resistant Comet satellite data reception module and wing control mechanisms. At the same time, the design of the modules differs depending on the caliber of the bomb. For example, the FAB-1500 with UMPC is equipped with a nose cone, which improves its aerodynamic qualities.
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| A bomb with an UMPK under the wing of the Su-34. |
| Source: Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / TASS |
The carrier of the FAB-3000 with UMPK was the Su-34 fighter-bomber, which is capable of carrying one three-ton bomb or three FAB-1500s. The dropped bomb from the UMPC plans to the target according to the received coordinates. The accuracy and range of the gliding bombs allow aircraft to drop from long distances, which reduces the risk of hitting the carrier with air defense systems. In the publication of The National Interest, it was suggested that the mass use of FAB-3000 with UMPC could overload Kiev's air defense.
"If they are mass—produced at military factories in the east, as reported by Russian media, then the bombing of these giants against Ukrainian targets will overload Ukraine's air defense and break its entire strategy to protect against air strikes," the newspaper writes.
