Ukrainian MiG‑29s equipped with advanced American precision bombs
An intriguing photograph of a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft carrying eight GBU-39 SDB guided bombs has surfaced online. These bombs enable pilots to target four times more objectives on a single flight than conventional bombs. This article elucidates how this is possible and highlights the capabilities of these American-guided bombs.
The Ukrainians are attempting to utilise the remnants of their air force as efficiently as possible. One example is increasing the number of targets struck during a single combat flight.
Similar to the Su-24 aircraft carrying Storm Shadow cruise missiles, the photograph below shows that the Ukrainians employ some adapter. It most likely originates from a NATO-compatible aircraft and is attached to the MiG's appropriate pylon. This combination allows for the use of the BRU-61/A launcher, which can hold up to four GBU-39 SDB bombs.
A small bomb that can do considerable damage
The GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), which weighs 122 kilograms and is 1.8 metres long, has been in service with the USAF since 2006. It is designed for precise target engagement.
In theory, the accuracy is around 1 metre, but under strong electronic warfare conditions that jam GPS signals, the precision can be lower. However, it is important to note that there is a GBU-39/B variant that uses a laser beam for guidance and maintains 100% declared accuracy even in difficult conditions. This variant requires, for example, a ground observer or a drone to illuminate the target with a laser beam until the hit.
The SDB bomb has foldable wings, allowing it to engage targets as far as approximately 110 kilometres when dropped from a high altitude. The 93-kilogram warhead can operate in several modes. One mode is an airburst that creates a shower of fragments piercing any unarmoured or unprotected objects. The second mode involves delayed detonation.
According to Boeing, the SDB bomb can penetrate 89 centimetres of reinforced concrete, making it ideal for attacking fortified positions or, for example, reinforced hangars at airports.
Not just bombs
It should be noted that a launcher was also developed for the SDB bombs, allowing the carrying of up to four units on a pylon with a capacity well below one tonne. For example, the entire load of four SDB bombs placed on the BRU-61/A launcher weighs a little over 600 kilograms.
In the case of the MiG-29 aircraft, four out of seven pylons can carry a load of up to 16 bombs compared to four larger ones. This enables targeting a much larger number of objectives while retaining, for example, air-to-air missiles for self-defence.
