Russia successfully tests a smart bomb capable of destroying 15 tanks simultaneously.
The bomb, nicknamed "the drill," carries 15 submunitions and is capable of accurately striking targets from a distance of 30 km.
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The PBK-500U version is equipped with 15 SPBE-K anti-tank rounds. Photo: TASS |
Russian Techmash Corporation announced in early January the successful testing of the PBK-500U "Drel" (drill) smart bomb, which is expected to be put into service with the Russian Air Force after the completion of state trials this year.IHSJanesReport the news.
The PBK-500U is a multi-purpose cluster bomb, considered equivalent to the American AGM-154 JSOW missile. Each bomb is equipped with large lifting and steering fins, allowing it to glide for over 30 km when dropped from a high altitude.
The PBK-500U uses inertial guidance and corrects its flight path using a satellite navigation system. The manufacturer can equip this bomb with a pulse jet engine to increase its target engagement range, especially when deployed from low altitudes.
The PBK-500U cluster bomb can be fitted with various submunitions, with a total weight of up to 370 kg. The first version will be equipped with 15 hybrid anti-tank guided missiles (SPBE-K). Each missile is fitted with a dual-band infrared seeker and a millimeter-wave radar seeker, along with friend-or-foe identification devices to avoid hitting allied tanks.
Upon detecting a target, the SPBE-K will launch a 1 kg warhead at a speed of 3,000 m/s, powerful enough to penetrate 100 mm of steel armor. The attack direction, from above, will target the top of the vehicle, where the armor is thinnest and most vulnerable.
During the military campaign in Syria, the Russian Air Force frequently used FAB-500 conventional bombs. Although the aircraft were equipped with the advanced SVP targeting system, the FAB-500 bombs still had low accuracy and were ineffective against modernly equipped adversaries.
The PBK-500U series is expected to replace the FAB-500 bomb in future military operations, increasing the accuracy of strikes and ensuring the safety of Russian forces.
