The heaviest ammunition in the arsenal is FAB-9000
FAB-9000 in one of the museums. Photo Airwar.ru
In the arsenal of the domestic bomber aviation There are general purpose high explosive bombs of various calibers and types. The most powerful and heaviest weapon This class is the FAB-9000 product. It was developed in the middle of the last century to perform particularly complex combat missions. However, its real characteristics and capabilities turned out to be excessive for most purposes, so it was used only occasionally and in limited quantities.
Record caliber
In 1946, a new line of high-explosive aviation bombs was adopted for service by the Soviet Union's bomber aviation, which were created taking into account the experience of the Great Patriotic War. the warThis line included several general-purpose bombs of various calibers: from 100 to 5000 kg.
The heaviest of these munitions were intended for long-range bombers. They were used to destroy large ground targets, as well as ships.
In the early 1950s, promising long-range bombers with increased payload characteristics were developed for long-range aviation. For example, the new Tu-16 could carry more than 9 tons of cargo on the internal sling, and for the Tu-95 this parameter reached 12 tons. The new bombers could use the entire existing range of ammunition.
Taking into account the parameters of the aircraft, the Air Force requested 9000 kg ammunition. However, the development of such a product and the launch of its production were associated with certain difficulties. However, the industry coped with the task and introduced a new bomb as soon as possible.
In 1954, almost simultaneously with the new bombers, 9-ton aviation ammunition was adopted. At the same time, modernized versions of other high-explosive aircraft bombs began to arrive in arsenals, modified to meet the requirements of the new generation of combat aircraft.
FAB-9000 product diagram. Graphics Airwar.ru
The production of bombs of the 1954 model was established at several enterprises, which quickly replaced the previous generation of high-explosive aircraft bombs (FAB). Most of the ammunition produced was of small and medium calibers.
Due to the limited range of tasks, the heavy FAB-5000 and FAB-9000 were produced in smaller quantities. According to various estimates, no more than several thousand 9-ton bombs were produced, but the requirements of the Air Force were fully satisfied.
Ammunition and carriers
The FAB-9000, model 1954, is a general-purpose high-explosive aerial bomb designed to destroy ground and surface targets. It was used to destroy large concentrations of enemy manpower and equipment, field fortifications, industrial facilities and other targets.
The bomb was developed as part of the 1954 model ammunition family and has a corresponding appearance and design. It was created using common design and technological solutions, but also has differences associated with its large caliber.
FAB-9000 has a steel body with a reinforced head and thin walls. The head part of the body consists of several conical surfaces, to which an anti-ricochet ring is added. The central part of the body has the shape of a truncated cone, which tapers slightly towards the tail of the bomb. The shank is made in the form of a cone with several longitudinal planes connected by a transverse ring. The total length of the bomb exceeds 5 meters, and the body diameter is 1,2 meters. The actual weight of the product is about 9,4 tons.
The ammunition was loaded with a TNT charge weighing about 4,3 tons. To detonate it, a set of three fuses was used with the ability to set detonation modes. The fuses were installed in the sockets of the head and tail fairings.
FAB-9000 on transport trolleys. Photo Tu22.ru
During the tests, it was proven that the FAB-9000 has better combat qualities compared to other domestic non-nuclear bombs. The shock wave from the explosion of this bomb was guaranteed to destroy enemy personnel at a distance of up to 55-57 meters. Within a radius of 200-225 meters, the bomb could cause concussions and other injuries. The fragments of its hull scattered hundreds of meters, maintaining their destructive power.
The standard carriers of the FAB-9000 were domestic long-range bombers Tu-16, Tu-95, 3M and M4, which were in service in the mid-50s. Later they were joined by the Tu-22. The heavy bomb was transported on an internal sling using a bridge beam holder MBD6-16. Each carrier could take on board only one such ammunition.
Combat application
According to available data, since the adoption of the FAB-9000 bomb in various modifications - combat and inert - it has been repeatedly used in long-range aviation exercises. During these exercises, the crews practiced the use of such weapons in various situations. In addition, during these activities, the characteristics of the ammunition and its compliance with the design parameters were checked.
During this period, the Soviet Air Force did not participate in major armed conflicts and did not have the opportunity to test bombers and their weapons in real conditions. The situation changed only in the 1980s, during the war in Afghanistan. Then it was decided to use several types of heavy bombs to perform complex combat missions.
In the mid-1980s, the enemy, trying to defend against Soviet attacks, began placing their bases in caves. Only aviation could hit such targets, but it needed appropriate ammunition. To destroy such targets, various types of weapons were used, including heavy high-explosive aerial bombs.
Tu-16 aircraft and their crews from several long-range aviation regiments of the Air Force were involved in solving such problems. They attacked identified targets with large-caliber bombs, setting the fuses to explode instantly or with a delay. In the event of a close hit, the FAB-9000 caused the collapse of the cave roof and provoked a landslide that covered mountain roads and paths.
Test drop of FAB-9000 from a Tu-22 bomber, 1985. Photo Tu22.ru
In flat terrain, the effectiveness of the FAB-9000 was not so high. The shock wave easily destroyed adobe buildings, but the radius of destruction of manpower was insufficient. In addition, the plane could only drop one bomb. Under such conditions, bomber aircraft turned out to be less effective compared to attack aircraft or attack helicopters.
If conditions permitted, FAB-9000s were used quite actively. According to various sources, at least several hundred such ammunition were used during the Afghan war. For example, in the last three months of 1988 alone, 289 units were dropped on the Mujahideen. However, when you consider the consumption of smaller caliber ammunition, this number of hits seems quite modest.
At the beginning of 1985, the Iraqi Air Force turned to the USSR with a request for help in improving the combat qualities of the existing Tu-22 bombers. The Iraqi Air Force wanted to make their aircraft carriers of large-caliber bombs - FAB-5000 and FAB-9000. Soon, Soviet specialists developed methods for mounting and using such weapons on Tu-22 aircraft. In May of the same year, test flights began with the training use of heavy bombs. Despite all the difficulties, the work was completed successfully.
Having received instructions and the necessary equipment, the Iraqi Air Force began using high-explosive aerial bombs weighing 9000 kg in the war with Iran.
The combat mission that took place on February 16, 1986 is especially famous. Then Iraqi bombers attacked enemy troops on the island of Al Fao with only three bombs. This attack caused significant damage to the enemy and influenced the course of subsequent battles.
Unclear prospects
As far as we know, after 1988 FAB-9000 bombs were not used in actual combat missions.
There were rumors about the use of such weapons during the first war in Chechnya, but they were not confirmed. There have also been no recorded cases of such strikes being used abroad.
Museum items from the FAB series under the wing of the Tu-16. The one on the far left is FAB-9000. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Obviously, FAB-9000 is not used now. This is due to the fact that there are no suitable targets for them.
Back in Soviet times, the 3M and M-4 aircraft that remained in service were converted into tankers and lost the ability to use weapons. In the early 1990s they were withdrawn from service. In addition, during this period the Russian Air Force abandoned the obsolete Tu-16 and Tu-22, and also revised the composition fleet Tu-95 bombers.
Now our long-range aviation is equipped with Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 missile-carrying bombers in the original and modernized versions. They have sufficient carrying capacity to hang high-explosive bombs of the largest caliber, but this capability is not used.
The strategic Tu-95MS and Tu-160 are equipped only with cruise missiles, while the long-range Tu-22M3 mainly use medium-caliber bombs. It wasn't until 2022 that they used a limited number of FAB-3000s.
Apparently, the Russian Aerospace Forces are currently unable to use the heaviest high-explosive bomb. The rejection of such weapons is quite understandable and justified. The FAB-9000 is difficult to operate and use, and the lack of guidance systems does not allow its potential to be effectively used. In addition, 9-ton ammunition is redundant for most combat missions. Smaller-caliber guided bombs or high-precision missiles do an excellent job of basic combat work.
Mixed experience
70 years ago, Soviet aviation received a unique ammunition - FAB-9000. In terms of its characteristics, this aerial bomb was superior to all others, with the exception of nuclear ones. It was planned to be used to solve particularly complex and important combat missions.
However, practice has shown that a bomb weighing 9000 kg has a limited scope and is redundant in most situations. This influenced the development of other types and types of aircraft weapons. As a result, the direction of heavy aerial bombs did not develop, and modern weapons took the path of limited combat load and increased accuracy. This approach has long proven its effectiveness.
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