The use of FAB-3000 aerial bombs with UMPC modules began
The leadership of the Ministry of Defense inspects the production of large-caliber bombs, February 2024. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
Several months ago it became known that the Russian defense industry was resuming the production of high-explosive aviation FAB-3000 bombs. Then it was connected with plans to use such weapons as part of the ongoing Special Operation. And the forecasts were justified: recently our front-line aviation began using three-ton bombs with universal planning and correction modules to attack enemy targets.
Return to the arsenals
On March 21, 2024, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, accompanied by other department heads, visited one of the enterprises of the military-industrial complex in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The name of the organization was not mentioned in official communications.
The minister was shown the production of modern ammunition and told about the achievements of the enterprise. The plant specializes in the production of various types of ammunition, including those intended for front-line aviation. Recently, the company has been increasing its production rates.
In addition, in February of this year, the plant resumed production of FAB-3000 aerial bombs. The Defense Ministry delegation inspected the production line where ammunition casings and finished products are manufactured. Bombs of the 1954 modification with a shortened body were captured in the frame.
The first known episode of the use of FAB-3000 with UMPC was the destruction of buildings in the village. Liptsy. Still from video from Telegram / Fighterbomber
It immediately became clear that the production of new aerial bombs was being carried out to equip units participating in a special military operation. Therefore, the use of new ammunition could be expected in the coming weeks or months.
Events and experience of recent months have led to the assumption of the possible use of three-ton FAB-3000 aerial bombs with universal planning and correction modules (UMPC).
The Ministry of Defense did not disclose its plans for the production and use of three-ton bombs. Versions about the imminent appearance of these ammunition in the combat zone and their use with UMPC have been neither confirmed nor refuted.
On June 20, a video appeared for the first time on specialized resources, which allegedly demonstrated the use of a FAB-3000 aerial bomb with a UMPC by an aircraft of an unspecified type. The video was taken from a reconnaissance drone, which probably also provided target designation. The target of the attack was buildings in the village of Liptsy, Kharkov region, which the enemy used to house manpower.
The bomb flew along a steep trajectory and exploded on the site between the buildings. As a result of the explosion, several one-story buildings were completely destroyed and a neighboring building was seriously damaged. The exact results of the strike are unknown, but it is obvious that in the destroyed buildings manpower and equipment were destroyed, and in the damaged building they at least suffered great damage.
Impact results. The multi-storey building is damaged, two buildings on the right are completely destroyed. Still from video from Telegram / Fighterbomber
Literally the next day after the first strike using the FAB-3000 with the UMPC, another video was published showing an attack on an enemy target in Liptsy.
On June 23, two new videos appeared showing strikes on targets in the same area. And on June 24, they showed that an aerial bomb hit the village of Volchansk, which is also located in the Kharkov direction.
In all cases, the result of the bomb was the same: some buildings were demolished, others were destroyed. There were also casualties among enemy personnel and material was destroyed.
To date, five videos have been published on specialized resources showing FAB-3000 attacks on Ukrainian targets. However, it can be assumed that not all results of objective control become public. The actual consumption of bombs may be significantly higher than what is known.
Obviously, the use of such weapons will continue as long as the enemy has suitable targets.
At a new stage
History The creation of the high-explosive aerial bomb FAB-3000 began in the forties of the last century. At that time, a line of general-purpose free-fall bombs was developed for bomber aviation.
In 1954, these bombs were modernized to meet the requirements of new combat aircraft. The result of this work was the FAB-3000 M54 product, which is still in service.
It is interesting that the three-ton bombs, unlike other products in the line, were used for a long time only at training grounds. The FAB-3000 was first used in real combat during the war in Afghanistan. After that, there was a long break. And only in 2022, such bombs were used in combat again - during the battles for the industrial development of the city of Mariupol. FAB-3000 were used in the original free-fall version, and the carriers were Tu-22M3 bombers.
The second blow in Liptsy. A flying bomb is visible. Still from video from Telegram / “The Inside Out”
Currently, a new page is opening in the history of FAB-3000. This old ammunition has received additional attachments that allow it to be turned into a precision weapon with an increased release range.
In this form, aerial bombs are actively used as part of a Special Military Operation to destroy various enemy targets. They clearly demonstrate their potential.
Means of destruction
FAB-3000 model 1954 is an aerial bomb designed to destroy targets on the ground. Its length is about 3,3 meters, and its case diameter is 820 millimeters. The actual mass of the bomb is 3067 kilograms.
The FAB-3000 body consists of several conical surfaces. The head fairing has a massive anti-ricochet ring. The tail unit is represented by several planes connected by a ring.
The bomb carries an explosive charge weighing approx. 1,4 t. The use of three fuses is provided, the nests of which are located in the bow and tail parts of the body. Detonation of the charge leads to the fragmentation of the body into fragments and their scattering across the area; a shock wave is also formed. The impact of waves and fragments is guaranteed to kill personnel within a radius of 35-40 m, and also destroy buildings or cause damage to armored vehicles. At a distance of up to 150-160 m, the shock wave can cause serious injuries. The fragments of the hull are scattered hundreds of meters.
The Universal Planning and Correction Module (UMPC) is a device for converting a free-falling bomb into a guided munition. UMPC is available in several versions for bombs of different calibers.
The UMPC has an oblong body, inside of which there is electronics, and outside there is a folding wing and tail unit. The device is attached to the bomb using clamps. In some cases, the head of the bomb is covered with an additional fairing.
Modules for bombs of different calibers differ in size and structural strength. For example, the largest modification of the UMPC is used together with the FAB-3000. Based on the available materials, we can conclude that this module can have a length of up to 2,5-3 meters and a wingspan of about 4-5 meters.
The result of the blow. Still from video from Telegram / “The Inside Out”
UMPC (universal planning and correction module) is equipped with a noise-resistant Comet satellite navigation device and a SMART navigation controller. Before resetting, the module electronics receive target coordinates from the carrier aircraft. During the flight, it tracks its location and determines the flight path, if necessary, issuing commands to the steering gears.
Circular Probable Deviation (CPD) of no more than a few meters was reported. The gliding flight range is unknown, but according to various estimates it can reach at least 40–50 kilometers.
It is not yet known exactly which aircraft carry the FAB-3000 with UMPC. The original free-fall bomb can be used by long-range bombers Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3, as well as front-line Su-34. However, the ammunition capacity of the latter is limited by its overall carrying capacity and the capabilities of individual suspension points. It is quite possible that all of these bombers can also carry a bomb with a UMPC, but the presence of the module affects the specification of the suspension and application.
Obvious advantages
A high-explosive aerial bomb of 3000 kg caliber with a planning and correction module (FAB-3000 with UMPC) has a number of important advantages and has already taken its place in the arsenal of our military aviation.
It has recently been used in a war zone, and its use cannot be expected to stop any time soon. FAB-3000 with UMPC will be used as long as there are appropriate targets on the enemy’s front line and in the rear.
The idea of equipping aerial bombs with UMPC modules also has economic advantages. The glide munition is created on the basis of a finished bomb and is equipped with a correction module of a simpler design, which reduces the cost of production. This allows for mass production of guided weapons at limited costs.
The fifth known use of FAB-3000 with UMPC. The goal was to locate the enemy in the village. Volchansk. Still from video from Telegram / “The Inside Out”
The FAB-3000 has unique combat characteristics and is capable of reliably hitting a variety of objects, manpower, etc. At the same time, the UMPC module increases the flight range and also increases the accuracy of the hit. As a result, the bomb uses its potential more fully, is more likely to hit its target and causes more damage.
Development continues
Last spring, the Russian Military Space Forces (VKS) received and began to use high-explosive aerial bombs with universal planning and correction modules (UMPC). First, gliding bombs of 250 and 500 kg calibers came into service, and then heavier ammunition appeared.
To date, a whole family of weapons has been formed, including bombs with a caliber of up to 1500 and 3000 kg.
Thus, Russian strike aircraft have a wide range of different weapons to combat various targets. The range of weapons is constantly expanding, providing bombers with new combat capabilities. The appearance of the FAB-3000 with UMPC in service makes it possible to more effectively carry out operations to demilitarize Ukraine.
Information