2023-05-08 11:59:23
“Extremely Big Threat”
“Serious danger” – Russia’s latest weapon might change the course of the war
In order to replace “intelligent” guided missiles, Russia is now resorting to glide bombs that are cheaper to produce. These are a real threat to Ukraine – and might require a new strategy.
updated
One of the dreaded UPAB-1500B glide bombs.
After being dropped, the bombs can fly up to 50 km and more.
The Telegraph
UPAB-50 bombs are apparently also often used.
Wikipedia/ Alexander Mishin
An Orion drone with a glide bomb attached to its fuselage.
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Russia has been using so-called glide bombs for some time.
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These are cheaper than cruise missiles and reduce the risk for bomber pilots.
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The widespread use of glide bombs may even force Ukraine to adjust its strategies.
According to experts, since the beginning of March, Russia has been using a new weapon in its warfare that is particularly worrying for Ukraine: instead of more expensive ones cruise missile and rockets have recently hit Ukrainian targets with increasing frequency, so-called glide bombs, which can fly much further distances than conventional bombs and can hardly be detected by radar.
Since the bombs have wings, they can still travel dozens of kilometers following being dropped and can be used from long distances with much less danger to the pilots, as the British “Telegraph” reports.
The UPAB-1500B bomb, which was developed on the basis of the conventional KAB-1500NB, is able to travel between 50 and 70 kilometers from a drop height of 10,000 to 15,000 meters and can thus be used in many places from the Russian Home country can be used without that The pilots have to move into Ukrainian airspace. It often flies so low that it cannot be detected by radar and is sufficiently precise to hit its target area from a long distance. In addition, it is difficult to hit because of its small size.
Replacement for expensive cruise missiles
According to Yuri Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, the UPABs pose a «very serious threat». «Currently the enemy is using this advantage on the border with Russia, on the front and on the coast. Glide bombs are being dropped intensively in all regions,” says the expert. According to the Telegraph report, up to 20 glide bombs a day have been used once morest Ukraine for some time.
These might be made relatively easily from unguided bombs by providing them with wings and a navigation system, but some were also specially developed. The technology is not new, as experts say, but it is being used much more frequently – probably also because cruise missiles and rockets are becoming scarce in Russia.
Ukraine will have to adapt
The widespread use of glide bombs might even force Ukraine to adjust its strategy. “These weapons mean that the air defense threat, which has historically limited the use of attack aircraft, is somewhat mitigated,” said Justin Crump, military analyst at intelligence consultancy Sibylline. The Russian pilots can get rid of their deadly cargo without getting into the danger zone of the air defense.
According to experts, Ukraine might in future be forced to move more parts of its air defense systems away from the cities and closer to the front lines in order to be able to shoot down approaching glide bombs early if the troops encounter bottlenecks such as river crossings or well-fortified Russian positions. According to Crump, your associations might be forced to position themselves widely, but should be able to be pulled together quickly if necessary.
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