“Thunder” over Ukraine: a promising UAV can become the most effective carrier of aerial bombs with UMPC
Model of the Grom UAV at the Army 2020 forum. Image e-news.su
Growth problems
Russian high-explosive bombs, equipped with unified planning and correction modules (UMPC), are one of the most effective types of weapons used during a special military operation (SVO) in Ukraine. Judging by data from open sources, the intensity of strikes caused by air bombs with UMPC is steadily increasing. At the same time, apparently, at the moment the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have abandoned a large-scale offensive and switched to active defense.
In this regard, It is becoming vitally important for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to minimize the effectiveness of strikes inflicted by Russian air attack means, including reducing the impact of Russian aerial bombs with UMPC on the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of the LBS combat contact line and to prevent their use deep in the territory of Ukraine.
To solve this problem, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will most likely use ambush tactics of anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM), in addition, it is possible that to solve this problem they will be involved as the remnants of combat aviation Soviet production, and F-16 fighters that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could already receive or should receive in the near future.
High explosive bomb (FAB) with UMPC under the wing of a Su-34
Recently, information appeared on the Internet that the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to destroy one or more Su-34 fighter-bombers through an ambush organized with the help of a Patriot air defense system. Despite the fact that the information has not received official confirmation, this scenario cannot be ruled out - it is quite difficult to counteract the ambush tactics of using air defense systems, especially in conditions when NATO countries provide full information support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Another problem is that to carry out generally routine operations, the latest 4+/4++ generation aircraft such as Su-30SM, Su-34 and Su-35 are used - it was not enough to attach the Su-57 to this task. This happens because there are no alternatives to them yet - it’s all about the concept of multifunctionality, which resulted in the emergence of highly efficient, multifunctional, but at the same time expensive aircraft, which limits their number in the troops.
Even the Su-30SM is redundant in its capabilities for the simple use of aerial bombs with UMPC. Image by Alex Beltyukov
Earlier, in the material Lessons from the SVO: multifunctional weapons systems should complement highly specialized combat vehicles, we talked about the fact that simple, inexpensive, highly specialized combat aircraft can be created on the basis of both decommissioned aircraft with their restoration and minimal modernization, and on the basis of new aircraft with simplified avionics (avionics), for example, on based on the airframe and power plant of the MiG-35, Su-30SM or Su-35.
However, even such a decision will not allow the supply of as many aircraft to the troops as could potentially be required for the use of aerial bombs with UMPC and other aviation ammunition currently produced by the military-industrial complex (MIC) in an intensified mode. Potentially, even aircraft like the MiG-21 or Su-17, which presumably can use the APU, in the event of a hypothetical resumption of their production, taking into account modifications to modern elemental base and technical processes, however, this is hardly realistic.
Even an aircraft like the MiG-21 could cope with the task of dropping aerial bombs from the UMPC on previously reconnoitered targets, and with a significantly lower “delivery” cost than modern 4++ generation fighters
In addition, this will not solve the problem of the Armed Forces using ambush tactics, as a result of which pilots of the Russian Air Force will die, and the complexity of training a good pilot is comparable to the complexity of producing a combat aircraft, even taking into account the fact that both the aircraft and the pilot , will be highly specialized.
By the way, we previously considered the Yak-130 training aircraft as a cheap to purchase and operate carrier of air bombs with UMPC, however, apparently all these machines are used for the active training of pilots for the Air Force ( Air Force) of the Russian Federation, that is, there is no reserve training equipment for use at the front. However, a promising, inexpensive and structurally simple training facility was recently announced, developed by the MiG company, with a payload of up to 1000 kilograms, which is being created on the basis of the reserve remaining after the development of the MiG-AT training facility.
Yak-130 and MiG-AT. Image by Adrian / vpk.name
What alternatives do we have?
Presumably, such an alternative could be jet unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are relatively inexpensive, highly specialized and mass-produced. Moreover, potentially such a UAV is already being developed in Russia - this is the Grom UAV from the Kronstadt group of companies.
UAV "Thunder"
The Grom UAV was first presented at the Army 2020 forum. Its take-off weight is up to 7 tons with a hull length of about 14 meters and a wingspan of up to 10 meters. Its estimated flight range is about 1400-2000 kilometers, which seems quite realistic, given that the Russian Yak-130 trainer, equipped with two AI-222-25 engines, has a stated flight range of up to 2 kilometers. The maximum flight altitude of the Grom UAV is up to 000 meters.
Model of the UAV "Thunder"
The maximum flight speed of the Grom UAV is up to 1000 kilometers per hour, and the payload weight is up to 2000 kilograms. Presumably, the Grom UAV will be equipped with an AI-222-25 turbojet engine, used on the Yak-130 training vehicle, which we discussed above. For the Grom UAV, the use of various air-to-ground (A-G) weapons is announced, up to the KAB-500S adjustable aerial bombs. According to open data, at the end of 2023, work on the Grom UAV was close to completion.
It is characteristic that in many respects the tactical and technical characteristics and flight characteristics of the Grom UAV are comparable to the above-mentioned MiG-21 fighter, except that the approximately two times lower maximum speed is compensated by approximately twice the increased range and payload, which is typical for modern UAVs - almost all of them are not designed to break the sound barrier.
Previously, in a material published in November 2020 - Russian "Valkyrie": slave UAV "Thunder", we have already considered this device as a Russian response to the American “faithful wingmen” programs to work within the framework of a single reconnaissance and strike complex with the Tu-214R radio-technical and optical-electronic reconnaissance aircraft.
“Grom UAVs will be able to operate at a distance of up to 250 kilometers from a Tu-214R aircraft and more, if communication systems allow. A mode of raids in “waves” can be implemented, when the Grom UAVs will be based at the airfield. Automatically or under the control of a ground-based UAV, the Tu-214R will take off and advance on autopilot to the patrol area. Under the control of operators on board the Tu-214R, strike the enemy and automatically return to the home airfield for refueling, maintenance and reloading. In parallel, a second “wave” of UAVs will be deployed from the airfield. It will turn out something like “tank carousel "used by the Russian Armed Forces during the Chechen war.
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The combination of a reconnaissance aircraft / UAV control aircraft with high-speed Thunder-type UAVs (and other types of UAVs) will make it possible to carry out high-intensity fire impact on the enemy with practically no risk of loss of manned combat aircraft (of course, while providing cover for the control center from enemy aircraft). One of the advantages of the Tu-214R + UAV "Thunder" bundle is that there is no need for high-speed jam-resistant satellite communication channels.
This decision can “close” the era of jet attack aircraft such as the Su-25 and front-line bombers such as the Su-24/Su-34, as well as significantly reduce the need to use complex and expensive fifth-generation fighters Su-57 to attack ground targets.”
As we see, since that moment there have been no more Tu-214R aircraft, so there is simply nothing to implement the proposed scheme, although this does not cancel the very idea of an aircraft relaying UAV control signals or even an airborne command post for controlling them. However, in most cases such difficulties will not be required to use aerial bombs with UMPC.
Application tactics
It should be simple and effective - refueling, suspension of one or two FAB-500 with UMPC or two to four FAB-250 with UMPC (of course, this can be RBK, ODAB or other aviation ammunition of comparable calibers, equipped with UMPC), then take off , climb to the optimal altitude, reach the required altitude and flight speed at the release point, then turn, quickly descend and return to the home airfield, and then the cycle is repeated as many times as the equipment can withstand it without maintenance.
To ensure round-the-clock operation of one Grom UAV, it is necessary to have 4-8 operators who will take off and land, and also take control in the event of enemy attacks or other emergency situations. If this condition is met, “shuttle diplomacy” can potentially continue in 24/365 mode; of course, this will be realistic if we have enough “Grom” UAVs themselves and aerial bombs with UMPA for them.
Potentially, the Grom UAV should have a significantly smaller radar and infrared signature compared to generation 4+/4++ fighters. Combined with the absence of the risk of the pilot’s death, this potentially allows us to consider the possibility of using the Grom UAV, including deep in enemy territory, at least even if the enemy destroys our UAV, we will not lose pilots, and material losses will be significantly lower than in in the event of the destruction of a modern multifunctional combat aircraft.
The configuration of the airframe and engine nozzles of the Grom UAV suggests its lower radar and infrared signature compared to generation 4+/4++ fighters
At the same time, the Su-34 and Su-35 will not be left without work either; the Su-34 can be used as radio reconnaissance (RTR), electronic warfare (EW) aircraft and for the destruction of enemy air defense systems. To do this, they must be equipped with appropriate suspended RTR and electronic warfare containers, as well as anti-radar missiles (ARM). In fact, they will become improved analogues of the American Boeing EA-18G Growler, and, being behind the Grom UAV, will cover them from attacks and detect and destroy enemy air defense systems in real time.
Su-34 fighter-bombers with suspended containers for various purposes can significantly increase the effectiveness of the Russian Air Force
Similarly, the Su-35 can not throw “cast iron”, albeit with UMPC, but focus on countering enemy aircraft, which stubbornly does not want to end.
Conclusions
The Grom UAV, like other UAVs, is urgently needed by the Russian Armed Forces. One of the most important tasks that this machine can solve is the use of various aerial bombs with unified planning and correction modules.
At the moment, the compatibility of the Grom UAV and aerial bombs with the UMPC has not been declared; I really hope that by the time these vehicles appear in service, this compatibility will be ensured.
The combination of the Grom UAV and its possible analogues, inexpensive highly specialized combat vehicles made on the basis of restored obsolete aircraft or newly manufactured simplified modifications of modern combat aircraft, as well as light combat aircraft based on training equipment, will ensure the most dense fire impact of aerial bombs with UMPC throughout the entire line of combat contact, as well as deep in enemy territory. At the same time, manned combat aircraft should be used in those areas where there is the least likelihood of being hit by enemy air defense systems, while in the most dangerous areas the Grom UAV and its possible analogues, information about the development of which may currently not be in the open press, should operate .
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