Russia used the analog of the JDAM-ER smart bomb kit to attack Sumy Oblast overnight into 24 March 2023, Defense Express (DE) reports.
Russian Su-35s launched guided air bombs at Sumy Oblast, killing two civilians
The Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine says Russian Su-35 fighter jets launched 11 bombs. Photos obtained by Defense Express show that at least some of the bombs were Russian analogs of the American JDAM-ER guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.
The Russian guidance kit transforms the FAB-500 M-62 bomb with a high-explosive warhead into a glide bomb with satellite navigation, “as indicated by [the] wing shape and fastening system. It is unknown whether there is an inertial navigation system,” DE says.
Defense Express wrote that remnants of the flight control module would allow identifying the kit’s navigation system:
“If there is only satellite navigation, GPS and GLONASS interference will be a way to resist the attacks with these analogs. However, the most effective option is to destroy the carrier,” DE concludes.
Read also:
- Russian Su-35s launched guided air bombs at Sumy Oblast, killing two civilians
- Ukraine already uses long-range smart bombs against Russia – Head of US Air Forces in Europe
- Russia employs new 1,500-kg gliding bomb in Ukraine – Defense Express
- US giving Ukraine extended-range Jdam-ER smart bomb kit – Bloomberg sources