The Russian Aerospace Forces are actively using aerial bombs equipped with a unified planning and correction module (UMPC) in combat operations. Most often, these are high-explosive aerial bombs (FAB), the range of which varies from 50 to 70 km. Engineers are looking for ways to increase their range, writes military expert Andrei Mitrofanov.
The easiest way to increase the range of FAB with UMPC seems to be equipping them with a small-sized engine, but a number of problems arise here.
Electric motors powered by batteries and small-sized piston internal combustion engines (ICE) are not suitable due to the large mass of the FAB, the expert believes. And turbojet engines (TRD) are capable of lifting such weight, but they are expensive.
A less expensive solution is to use a pulsating air-jet engine (PuVRD).
But will the dimensions of the PuVRD allow it to be placed on the FAB with UMPC, Mitrofanov wondered.
The next option is a solid-propellant booster, the simplest and potentially inexpensive solution.
The expert suggested equipping the FAB with UMPC with a solid-propellant rocket booster from some serial product, for example, from unguided aircraft rockets (NAR). This could increase the range by 20-30%, he summarized.
About FAB-500
Soviet 500-kilogram aerial bomb with a high-explosive warhead. The ammunition (model M-54) was put into service in 1954, and the model M-62 in 1962. FAB is compatible with most aircraft. It is dropped at an altitude of 570-12,000 m at a speed of 500 to 1900 km/h.
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