Ukraine tests domestic glide bomb conversion kit — video
Ukrainian engineers have developed a working solution to convert regular air-dropped munitions into precision-guided glide bombs, Ukrainian military news outlet Defense Express reported on June 25.
These conversion kits are similar to the ones the Russian military has been using in the war for several years now.
According to the report, the prototype allows conventional bombs to strike targets 60 kilometers away, with plans to extend the range to 80 kilometers.
Engineers working on the project said it is currently in the testing phase but needs additional funding to accelerate production.
The article included a video that shows a converted glide bomb being released from a Su-24 aircraft. Experts noted that developers modeled the new munition after the Russian design. However, its internal components have been redesigned to improve targeting accuracy.
Oleh Vostrykh, one of the people involved with the project, told the journalists that the guidance and navigation module for the 500-kilogram bomb was developed in-house.
“The specially designed wings attach in just a few minutes without any complex connections,” he said.
“The navigation system is our own, but we are currently testing a new solution from one of the leading French companies to ensure maximum resilience under electronic warfare conditions. Still, there are some parts we must import from abroad.”
The munition already can follow a set trajectory for 60 kilometers and hit its target—range defined by the Defense Ministry. Developers are now working to boost the range to 80 kilometers. In theory, if dropped from an altitude of 10 kilometers, the bomb could travel up to 100 kilometers, although the actual distance will depend on tactical use.
Test drops conducted from the Su-24 during horizontal flights yielded positive results regarding range, release, and guidance systems.
“We need to perform about a dozen more tests, which will then be reviewed by the Defense Ministry,” Vostrykh said.
“But right now, the main obstacle to moving quickly is funding.”
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