New Special Operations: universal interspecific glide munition UMPB D-30SN
One of the first known images of the UPMB D-30SN product. Photo Telegram / "Military informant"
The arsenals of the Russian aerospace forces are constantly replenished with new models, and now such products are immediately used within the framework of the Special Operation to protect Donbass. So, a few months ago, frontline aviation The VKS has begun using the latest universal inter-service gliding munitions UPMB D-30SN. They are used together with other guided bombs and rockets to attack and destroy distant targets. In addition, the introduction of such products in the ground forces should be expected.
New weapon
In early March 2024, the Ukrainian side complained about the appearance of new high-precision munitions in the Russian Aerospace Forces. The enemy made this conclusion after examining the wreckage of a weapon found in the ruins of one of the recently destroyed military infrastructure facilities. Based on this “analysis,” they tried to draw some conclusions and assumptions, the reliability of which was questionable.
The situation soon became clearer. Domestic specialized resources reported that the “universal interspecific glide munition with a diameter of 30 cm” or UMPB D-30SN has entered into service with front-line aviation and is now being used. Such products have replenished the existing range of high-precision aviation weapons and are now used at Ukrainian targets.
Also in March, a number of new reports appeared about the use of the UMPB D-30SN in different directions and sectors of the front. Such news They are still being received, and since a certain time they have been accompanied by videos of target destruction shot by reconnaissance UAVs. In addition, the Ukrainian side showed the destruction caused by the strike with new ammunition, and these photographic materials allow us to roughly assess their effectiveness.
By the end of March, it became known that the UMPB D-30SN, along with other guided weapons, was being used against military infrastructure and industrial facilities in the city of Kharkov. Soon like this weapons destroyed one of the production facilities in Sumy. At the same time, it is clear that the actual number of strikes using interspecific glide munitions is much larger, and only some of them are widely known.
Dropping four UMPB D-30SN bombs. Photo Telegram / Aviahub34
On May 25, an interesting photograph appeared in open sources, which showed four UMPB D-30SN products at once in the first seconds after separation from the carrier in the form of a Su-34 bomber. At the time of filming, three munitions managed to open the wing, while the fourth was only starting the corresponding mechanism. The source of the photo claimed that the picture was taken 50 km from the front line. The range to the target was not specified, but in general it was clear that the ammunition would have to fly significantly more than fifty kilometers.
According to known data, the UMBP D-30SN product was created as ammunition for aviation and jet engines. artillery. Frontline bombers regularly and successfully use it, while information on its use by multiple launch rocket systems is still lacking. Perhaps the munition is not yet ready for deployment in artillery units, or episodes of its use have simply not received publicity. However, the situation may change in the near future.
Secret development
Very little is known about the UMPB D-30SN product. In particular, there is no information about its creators and development time frame. It can be assumed that this ammunition was created by one of the domestic defense organizations involved in the topic of aviation weapons. This enterprise is probably part of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation.
The UMPB D-30SN project could have started at the beginning of the current decade or earlier. Several years should have been spent on designing and testing the design, and in the recent past the finished product could reach field testing. After all the necessary checks, it was delivered to the troops. Now the ammunition is used by front-line aviation and is expected to appear in rocket artillery.
From a design point of view, the UMPB D-30SN product is a controlled glide bomb of reduced dimensions with high flight characteristics and the maximum possible power of the warhead. The bomb is built in a streamlined body on which a folding swept wing and an X-shaped set of rudders are installed.
It is known that the maximum diameter of the product reaches 300 mm. Other dimensions are unknown. The length of the bomb can be estimated at 2,6-2,8 m with a wingspan of approx. 2 m. The total mass of the ammunition was not disclosed, although it is known that its high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighs 250 kg.
The UMPB D-30SN product strikes a Ukrainian military industry facility. Photo Telegram / "The Inside Out"
Reportedly, UMPB D-30SN has a combined guidance system based on inertial and satellite navigation devices. Noise-proof systems are used, which provide a high probability of solving a combat mission. Whether there is in-flight communication with the carrier, allowing the bomb to be retargeted, is unknown.
It is assumed that the folding wing and improved aerodynamic appearance allow the UMPB D-30SN to demonstrate high flight characteristics. Thus, at an optimal altitude and release speed, the gliding flight range can reach 100-120 km.
All major domestic front-line aircraft can be used as carriers of the UMPB D-30SN. First of all, these are Su-34 bombers. It is also possible for fighters and attack aircraft to use different models, provided that the weapon control system is appropriately modified.
The UMPB D-30SN product is designated as interspecific, and its modification is proposed, intended for the Tornado-S MLRS. In this case, the bomb is supplemented with a solid rocket motor and turns into a kind of rocket. The solid propellant rocket engine is responsible for the product’s takeoff, acceleration, and reaching the design trajectory. The engine then separates and the bomb glides towards its target.
Concept and result
In recent years, the Russian Aerospace Forces has been paying special attention to high-precision guided weapons. Various new models are being created, adopted and used in real operations. Several important and interesting new products of this kind were demonstrated for the first time in the current Special Operation, and the next “premiere” took place just a few months ago.
The interspecific ammunition UMPB D-30SN has been used at the front recently, but has already shown its best side and successfully complements other modern products. Now a modification for MLRS is expected to appear, which will also provide important advantages. In general, we can already give the new product a high rating and talk about its value for the troops.
The results of one of the strikes using the UMPB D-30SN. Photo of the State Emergency Service for the Sumy region.
As can be judged from the available data, UMPB D-30SN has a number of positive features and advantages. First of all, these are high indicators of flight range and accuracy of hitting targets. Also important are the absence of restrictions when choosing a carrier aircraft and the fundamental possibility of placing ammunition on other platforms.
A direct analogue of the UMPB D-30SN ammunition in aviation version can be considered the FAB-250 high-explosive aerial bombs with the UMPC planning and correction module. Apparently, both such samples have similar accuracy and warhead power. At the same time, the improved aerodynamics of the interspecific ammunition allows for a noticeable increase in flight range. However, both bombs can be used in different situations and give the desired result.
It should be noted that at the level of concept and execution, the UMPB D-30SN product is similar to an existing foreign model. Thus, the US Air Force is armed with a “small diameter bomb” GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb, optimized for use on aircraft with internal cargo compartments. On its basis, in the recent past, ammunition for the GLSDB type MLRS was created.
The Russian UMBP D-30SN munition is similar to the SBD and GLSBD at the level of general ideas and principles. At the same time, domestic designers took into account foreign experience, and their product has a number of important differences. Thus, our bomb is significantly heavier - at least 250-270 kg versus 110 kg for the American one, which gives advantages in power. In addition, the Russian munition has a greater range of gliding flight. The electronic part of the product is built taking into account the experience of using similar systems in the presence of enemy means EW.
Planned development
Thus, the guided weapons system of the Russian Aerospace Forces is constantly developing and is regularly supplemented with new models. Another novelty in this area was the UMPB D-30SN universal ammunition with a 250-kg warhead. It is already showing its capabilities at the front and near the enemy’s rear, helping the general processes of demilitarization.
With all this, for the first time in domestic practice, an aerial bomb is intended not only for combat aircraft. UMPB D-30SN in a version with an engine is proposed to be introduced into rocket artillery. It is quite possible that the corresponding processes are already underway, and in the near future it will become known about the first use of interspecific ammunition by the Tornado-S systems. This will give our armed forces new advantages and capabilities of both a combat and production or logistics nature.
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