In News
- The Ukrainian government has reported an increase in the number of guided bomb attacks carried out by the Russian forces.
- Ukrainian military experts believe Russia currently has two types of guided bombs.
- Satellite-guided UPAB-1500B
- High-explosive FAB-type bomb equipped with wings
- Ukrainian military experts believe Russia currently has two types of guided bombs.
What are Guided Bombs?
- A guided bomb (also known as a smart bomb, guided bomb unit, or GBU) is a precision-guided munition designed to achieve a smaller circular error probable (CEP).
- Unlike simple bombs, guided bombs have small wings and tail surfaces that allow them to be put into gliding flight.
- Guided bombs carry a guidance system which is usually monitored and controlled from an external device. A guided bomb of a given weight must carry fewer explosives to accommodate the guidance mechanisms.
Reasons behind Increased use of Guided Bombs
- Through this Russia can mitigate the risk of further aviation losses by operating out of the range of most Ukrainian anti-aircraft and air defense systems
- The Russian forces are dropping more guided bombs because they are running out of missiles, and guided bombs are cheaper.
Challenges to Ukraine
- To destroy guided bombs, Ukraine needs modern air defense systems like the Patriot .
- Bombs are very difficult to hit, it is easier to destroy the carrier itself with the help of the fighter jets.
- Ukraine does not have air-to-air missiles with sufficient range to hit jets over Russian-controlled areas.
Source: IE
