The FAB-250 is a Soviet-designed 250-kilogram (550 lb) general purpose air-dropped bomb with a high-explosive warhead, primarily used by the Russian Air Force, former Soviet republics and customer countries. It is very widespread throughout the Third World and used in many conflicts in Asia and Africa among others. The original M-46 model was rolled out in 1946, followed by the M-54 model 1954 with reinforced structure, both models shaped for internal carriage by heavy bombers, a low-drag M-62 version in 1962 was intended for fighter bomber external hardpoint carriage.[4][2] The bomb is unguided, features a single nose fuse, and is compatible with most models of Soviet aircraft.[5] The FAB-250 was extensively employed over Afghanistan by Soviet and allied Afghan forces during the 1980s.[6] The FAB-250 has been used most recently over Syria by both Russian and Syrian warplanes.[7] Ethiopia used it during the Tigray War.[citation needed]
| FAB-250 M-62 General Purpose (GP) Bomb[1][2][3] | |
|---|---|
 FAB-250 M-62 | |
| Type | High-drag and low-drag general-purpose bomb |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1946–? (M-46) 1954–present; (M-54); 1962–present (M-62) |
| Variants | KAB-250 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 250 kilograms (551 lb) |
| Length | 1.92 m |
| Diameter | 0.3 m |
| Filling | High explosive |
| Filling weight | 100 kg |
Detonation mechanism | Impact fuse |
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Russia adapted FAB-250 bombs and equipped them with planning and correction modules (UMPK) containing Inertial navigation system similar to the adaptions made to FAB-500 M-62 bombs, the FAB-250 M-62 is lighter and more aerodynamic than the heavier FAB-500 M-62, which means it is less destructive but has a longer gliding range which has been stated as 80 kilometres, this reduces the likelihood of Russian aircraft when deploying the adapted bombs of being hit by Ukrainian Surface-to-air missile systems.[8]
According to the Institute for the Study of War FAB-250 bombs "weigh 250 kilograms, hold an explosive weight of 99 kilograms, have a damage radius of 120 meters, and can destroy manpower, equipment, and light fortifications."[9]
Variants
edit- FAB-250 M-46 – 1946 model, original high-drag model intended for internal carriage on heavy bombers, thin walls.
- FAB-250 M-54 – 1954 model, improved high-drag model with reinforced structure.
- FAB-250 M-62 – 1962 model, low-drag model designed for external carriage on hardpoints on fighter-bombers.[10]
See also
edit- FAB-500
- Mark 82 bomb - American counterpart
- Soviet and Russian aerial bombs
References
edit- ^ "FAB-250 General purpose Bomb". www.globalsecurity.org.
- ^ a b "Russian Aviation Bombs". www.globalsecurity.org.
- ^ "Soviet Gravity Bombs". www.globalsecurity.org.
- ^ "USSR Bomb" (PDF). www.jmu.edu.
- ^ "Ancile (FAB-500)". www.deagel.com.
- ^ "Afghanistan Ordnance Identification Guide" (PDF). Global CWD Repository. 2004.
- ^ "The Su-22 Is Syria's War-Weary Warhorse". War Is Boring. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ "Доработка авиабомб ФАБ-250 позволила сделать из них высокоточные боеприпасы". TACC (in Russian). Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Karolina Hird; Christina Harward; Kateryna Stepanenko; Angelica Evans; Frederick W. Kagan (30 October 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 30, 2023". understandingwar.org. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet / Russian aircraft weapons : since World War Two. Hinkley: Midland Publishing. p. 158. ISBN 1857801881. OCLC 56650196.
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