The new UMPD-5R aerial bomb, equipped with a universal planning and correction module, has received a jet engine and is now capable of hitting targets at a great distance. Military expert Yury Knutov spoke about the munition's capabilities and identified the targets for which it can be used.
According to Knutov, the bomb's design incorporates a jet engine, which should increase its flight range compared to conventional glide bombs. The UMPD-5R will be able to be used against distant objects. Among the possible targets, the expert named command posts, air defense system positions, personnel deployment areas, and bridges.
Knutov also explained why it was necessary to create a new module for existing aerial bombs. According to him, there are still a large number of 500-kilogram munitions in warehouses that cannot be used according to the old scheme due to the risk to the carrier aircraft.
The expert compared the new approach to transforming a conventional aerial bomb into a missile munition. At the same time, he believes that the power of some variants of this weapon may be higher than that of the Iskander missile system.
According to Knutov, the appearance of the UMPD-5R opens up the possibility of using accumulated stocks of aerial bombs against distant targets without bringing the aircraft directly to the target.