Russia successfully tested a smart bomb that can destroy 15 tanks at once.
The bomb model nicknamed "drill" carries 15 sub-warheads, capable of accurately attacking 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 |
Russia's 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 completing state-level testing this year.IHSJanesreport
The PBK-500U is a multi-purpose cluster bomb, considered a weapon equivalent to the US AGM-154 JSOW missile. Each bomb is equipped with large lifting and steering wings, allowing it to glide for more than 30 km when dropped from high altitude.
The PBK-500U uses inertial navigation and flight path correction using satellite positioning systems. The manufacturer can equip this bomb with a pulse jet engine to increase the target destruction range, especially when deployed from low altitude.
The PBK-500U cluster bomb can be equipped with various submunitions, with a total mass of up to 370 kg. The first version will be equipped with 15 combined self-guided anti-tank projectiles (SPBE-K). Each projectile is equipped with a dual-band infrared seeker and a mm-wave radar seeker, along with a friend-or-foe discrimination device to avoid hitting friendly tanks.
Upon detecting a target, the SPBE-K will launch a 1 kg warhead at a speed of 3,000 m/s, capable of penetrating 100 mm thick steel armor. The attack from above will aim at the roof of the vehicle, where the armor is thinnest and most vulnerable to penetration.
During the military campaign in Syria, the Russian Air Force often used conventional bombs FAB-500. Although the aircraft were equipped with the advanced SVP targeting system, the FAB-500 bomb still had low accuracy and was ineffective when attacking modernly equipped enemies.
The PBK-500U series is expected to replace the FAB-500 bomb in future military campaigns, helping to increase strike accuracy and ensure the safety of Russian forces.