Guided Bomb

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

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