Details And Series Of The KAB-500 Laser Guided Bomb

The KAB-500 Laser Guided Bomb exemplifies Russia’s remarkable strides in aerial armament, thanks to its extraordinary accuracy and formidable destructive potential. Within this context, we are presented with the Details And Series Of The KAB-500 Laser Guided Bomb specifications, meticulously developed by Russia.

These munitions are engineered with meticulous attention to detail for airborne deployment, precisely guided towards their intended targets through state-of-the-art laser guidance systems. The KAB bomb series stands out for its exceptional ability to strike targets with unparalleled precision, making them highly effective against a diverse range of entities such as structures, vehicles, and fortified installations.

There are several different variants of the KAB-500 bomb, each with slightly different specifications. Some variants use different types of warheads, while others have longer ranges or improved guidance systems. The KAB-500 is a widely used weapon in the Russian military and has also been exported to several other countries. Overall, the KAB-500 Laser Guided Bomb is a powerful and versatile weapon that has proven to be effective in a wide range of combat scenarios.

The KAB-500 Laser Guided Bomb was originally developed by the Soviet Air Force and entered service in 1975. Since then, it has remained in service with the Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) and the post-Soviet Russian Air Force. It has also been adopted by the Indian Air Force, with the Su-30MKI serving as the primary launch platform. In addition, the Royal Malaysian Air Force uses this bomb on its Sukhoi Su-30MKM aircraft, demonstrating its effectiveness and versatility.

The Variants Of KAB Laser-Guided Bombs

KAB-500L

is a variant of the KAB-500 family of laser-guided bombs developed by Russia. It is designed to be dropped from aircraft and guided to its target using laser guidance systems. The “L” in its name stands for “light” because it has a reduced weight compared to other variants, making it easier to carry and drop from a wider range of aircraft.

The KAB-500L is particularly effective against stationary targets such as buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure. It has a maximum range of around 30 kilometres and is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead that can cause significant damage to its target. The KAB-500L has been used in several conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War, where it was used by the Russian Air Force against rebel and ISIS targets. Larger bombs like the KAB-1500L family are also built using the KAB-500L’s technology.

The KAB-500 Laser Guided Bomb has been adopted by several air forces around the world due to its effectiveness and versatility. In addition to being used by the Russian Air Force, the Indian Air Force And Navy also make use of it, with the Su-30MKI serving as the primary launch vehicle. The Royal Malaysian Air Force also utilizes this bomb on its Sukhoi Su-30MKM aircraft, demonstrating its capability to be adapted to different launch platforms and combat scenarios.

Specifications Of The KAB-500L

• Weight:  525 kg ( 1,157 lb ) including warhead
• Length:  10 ft ( 3.5 m )
• Diameter:  380 mm ( 15 in )
• Warhead:  450 kg ( 990 lb ) High Explose fragmentation warhead
• Guidance:  Electro-Optical correlation
• Target accuracy ( CEP ):  4 to 7 meters Circular Error Probable ( CEP )
• Controls:  Pneumatically Actuated
• Shelf Life:  Estimated between 8 to 10 years
• Launch Platform:  All Russian-origin aircraft such as the Su-24, Su-34, Su-27, Su-30, Su-35, MiG-29 and MiG-35 are designed to operate this weapon

KAB-500 KR

The KAB-500 is an electro-optical TV-guided fire-and-forget bomb developed by the Soviet Air Force in the 1980s. It remains in service with the CIS and various export customers. The KAB-500KR variant is analogous to the American GBU-15 weapon. This variant utilizes a standard Soviet / Russian FAB-500 general-purpose bomb, which has a nominal weight of 500 kg ( 1,100 lb ), as a warhead. The television seeker and guidance fins are added to convert it into a guided, unpowered glide bomb.

The KAB-500Kr’s seeker employs a gimballed daylight television imaging sensor mounted under a wide-angle glass dome. Unlike earlier US GBU-8 HOBOS and AGM-65 Maverick weapons, which employed contrast lock technology, the -Kr series guidance system employs Scene Matching Area Correlation technology, similar to the US Navy DAMASK seeker or Tomahawk DSMAC. As a result, the bomb can target low-contrast targets by leveraging the contrast of nearby terrain features or objects.

The KAB-500KR is controlled by an onboard autopilot and guidance system, which includes an electro-optical TV seeker and a scene-matching area correlation guidance system. The seeker allows the bomb to locate and lock onto a target visually, while the guidance system helps the bomb adjust its course and fly to the target with a high degree of accuracy. The control surfaces, such as the fins, are adjusted by the autopilot to guide the bomb towards the target. Once the bomb is released from the aircraft, it operates autonomously and does not require further control from the pilot or ground station.

Specifications Of The KAB-500KR

• Weight:  520 kg ( 1,150 lb ) including warhead
• Length:  10 ft ( 3.5 M )
• Diameter:  380 mm ( 15 in )
• Warhead:  380 kg ( 840 lb ) armour-piercing warhead capable of penetrating up to 1.5 metres ( 5 ft ) of reinforced concrete.
• Guidance:  electro-optical TV guidance system that employs Scene Matching Area Correlation ( SMAC ) technology.
• Target accuracy ( CEP ):  Estimated 4 to 7 meters Circular Error Probable ( CEP )
• Controls:  Onboard autopilot and guidance system
• Shelf Life:  Estimated 8 to 10 years
• Launch Platform:  All Russian-origin aircraft such as the Su-24, Su-34, Su-27, Su-30, Su-35, and MiG-35 are designed to operate this weapon

KAB-1500LG-F-E

The KAB-1500L is a Russian precision-guided weapon that belongs to the KAB-1500 family. It is a laser-guided bomb and is currently the production standard for use on 4+ and 4++ generation fighter jets, such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI / Sukhoi Su-30MKK, Sukhoi Su-34, and Sukhoi Su-35. It was introduced in the 1990s and is designed to be dropped from high altitudes and guided to its target using a laser guidance system.

It is claimed to be the Russian equivalent of the USA’s Paveway II / Paveway III, although it is much larger, weighing in at 6 times the size of the Paveway at 500 lbs. Therefore, it is a closer match to the KAB-500L uses similar guidance technology and is designed to hit various targets such as railway depots, ammunition depots, railway terminals, highway bridges, military and industrial facilities, ships, and transport vessels. The KAB-1500LG-F-E includes an impact fuze with three different delay modes for target attack and can also be mounted on older aircraft, such as the Sukhoi Su-24 and the Mikoyan MiG-27.”

The KAB-1500LG-F-E is typically used as a single weapon or in salvo from frontline fighter-bombers and attack aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with a laser illumination system or a simple sight, which is used to produce pre-targeting data. In some cases, a ground designator operator may also be involved in the targeting process.

The KAB-1500L has been used in some of the most devastating conflicts of our time, including the Russian military campaigns in Chechnya and Syria. It has been reported as being used during the Russia-Ukraine War, where it has left a mark on the battlefield. According to a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ignat, ” Ukrainian forces cannot counter this weapon. ” It’s a weapon that strikes fear into the hearts of those who face it and leaves a lasting impact on the battlefield.

Specifications Of The KAB-1500LG-F-E

• Weight:  1,525 kg ( 3,362 lb )
• Length:  14 ft ( 4.28 m )
• Diameter:  1.90 ft ( 0.58 m )
• Warhead:  1170 kg ( 2,579 lb ) High explosive warhead
• Guidance:  Semi-active laser guidance system
• Target accuracy ( CEP ): Estimated 4 to 7 meters Circular Error Probable ( CEP )
• Controls:  Onboard autopilot and guidance system
• Launch Platform:  All 4+ and 4++ Russian-origin aircraft are designed to operate this such as Su-24, Su-34, Su-30, Su-35

In conclusion, the variants of KAB Laser Guided Bombs represent a powerful and precise weapon system designed to be dropped from high altitudes and guided to its target using a laser guidance system. Equipped with an impact fuze and three different delay modes, these bombs can effectively target and destroy a wide range of military and industrial facilities, ships, and transport vessels.

The KAB family has proven its devastating effect on the battlefield in conflicts such as those in Chechnya, Syria and Ukraine and its compatibility with most Russian-origin aircraft makes it a formidable asset for any air force that operates these planes. The KAB family of weapons is a testament to the Russian military’s commitment to advanced weapon technology and precision warfare, showcasing their ability to produce world-class weapons that can strike targets with lethal accuracy.

“Moreover, it is worth noting that you have the unique opportunity to acquire an exceptional scale model of the Su-30 fighter jet, proudly carrying the KAB laser-guided bombs, which is available on Amazon. This magnificent weapon system, which has demonstrated its devastating capabilities on the battlefield, is a testament to the Russian military’s unwavering commitment to advanced technology and precision warfare. With its compatibility with most Russian-origin aircraft, it is a formidable asset for any air force that operates these aircraft. The KAB family of weapons represents a powerful arsenal in the hands of any nation’s air force.”