Russian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

I know this has been posted on the other thread. But I am interested in starting a conversation with anyone here who like to do a small thinking exercise on the feasibility of a low-cost mass-scale smart bomb kit application on the existing Russian 500kg and 250kg free-fall/unguided bombs, like the ones in the tweet.

My understanding is that FAB500 and FAB250 have welded on tail fin parts that need to have metal cutting work done to it in order to fit a LS-6 type of tail guidance module plus an optional glider. Since such module would be quite cheap to develop for China. I am wondering, from production point of view, is there a economically feasible and fast way for Russia to refit their stockpile of FAB500 and FAB250 with guidance kit en masse?

I believe the Mk82, Mk83 and Mk84 all have tail fin sections screwed onto the bomb body, while Russia FAB500 and FAB250 have tail fin parts welded on.

Jingle Bells said:

I am wondering, from production point of view, is there a economically feasible and fast way for Russia to refit their stockpile of FAB500 and FAB250 with guidance kit en masse?

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This sounds like a question the Russian MoD should've asked about twenty years ago.

Jingle Bells said:

while Russia FAB500 and FAB250 have tail fin parts welded on.

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That;'s the problem. if they intend to develop kits then it will have to be that fancy wing attachment Or just build a dedicated weapon.

still tho they dont seem to be interested in glide bombs for long time.. i wonder.

pmc said:

This is Putin style. Aviation is very personal to him. he has pictures in every airshow aircraft or factory visits as far back 1999.
Putin also visited Paris Airshow.
This Tu-160 will be his favorite plane. just the way he tour around the factory. only very committed person can restart it. this give confidence for next PAK-DA.

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So then how does Putin feel about the VKS' poor performance over Ukraine, and the fact that they still don't have complete air superiority or have suppressed Ukrainian air defense this late into the war?

I am sure he has more data than we know but why you think its poor performance? Ukraine air force is reduced to one way kamikazee missions with single aircraft at time. You have to consider element of surprize needed for each mission considering alot of Nato aviation just outside the borders. so low altitude flying with attack choppers, su-25 and cruise missiles. alot of airpower is now integrated into Belarus airbases. this itself a task that accomplished in past year. i am sure transport and bomber aviation have done more sorties in such compress time than any one else.
so when you consider all the various tasks from quickly getting newer choppers like Ka-52M with 305 missiles to alot of training that hasnt been done even in Soviet times in post covid situation i consider this outstanding performance.

upgrade to IL-80VKP.

Su-57 analysis

cont.

pmc said:

Ukraine air force is reduced to one way kamikazee missions with single aircraft at time.

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Very wishful thinking right there, but if that’s what he also thinks, then he may not be too bothered.

RadDisconnect said:

So then how does Putin feel about the VKS' poor performance over Ukraine, and the fact that they still don't have complete air superiority or have suppressed Ukrainian air defense this late into the war?

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I'm sure Putin understands NATO squirming itself into this conflict thereby permitting the use of (+Musk's starlink) is essential to preventing VKS from achieving full air dominance. VKS have also made the to deny, if not hamper UAF's capabilities.