Cheap glide bombs boost Ukraine's offensive capabilities

The US is producing a low-cost glide bomb, called ERAM, to significantly boost Kiev's offensive capabilities as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues.

The Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) is an air-launched missile that can be produced quickly and cheaply and has a range of about 460 km and a speed of Mach 0.6.

The Request for Information (RFI) regarding the new weapon was first issued in January of this year, and the updated version released on July 10, called the Request for Proposal (RFP), specifies that the intended customer for ERAM is Ukraine.

Ukraine is on track to produce 1 million unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones) this year. This is an effective means of supporting military operations on both sides.

But since the beginning of this year, Russia has been using Soviet-era FAB aviation bombs and increasing their destructive power by attaching rudders to turn them into glide bombs.

While a regular drone can carry 50 kg of explosives, Russia's largest glide bomb can carry up to 1,400 kg of explosives, capable of destroying even Ukraine's strongest defense system.

The new US-made ERAM glide bomb will start at a lower level, carrying a 225-kg projectile equipped with a fragmentation warhead capable of destroying armored targets.

Rendering of the ERAM glide bomb released by the US Air Force. Photo: Defense Express

AI-generated image of the ERAM glide bomb the US plans to produce for Ukraine. Photo: Army Recognition

“This weapon plays a key role in enhancing Ukraine’s ability to effectively meet combat needs and provides a weapon that can be produced on a large scale at an affordable price,” the RFI document update said.

Other criteria include accuracy when hitting targets at a distance of 10 m and the ability to operate GPS effectively even when the enemy carries out electronic countermeasures.

An RFI is a document sent to potential manufacturers who can then express interest in developing the product featured in the RFI and bid on the contract.

Production of ERAM is expected to begin no later than two years after the contract is awarded, and up to 1,000 such low-cost glide bombs will be produced in 24 months, equivalent to a production rate of 42 bombs/month.

However, there is no information yet on whether the bomb is designed to be launched from Soviet-era fighter jets currently in the Ukrainian Air Force's possession or from Western-supplied F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters currently en route to the front lines.

Either way, they would significantly enhance Ukraine’s offensive capabilities. The closest thing Kiev has in its arsenal is the Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles supplied by Britain and France, but these expensive missiles are in limited supply.

This is not the first time the US has supplied glide bombs to Ukraine. Previously, a high-tech US glide bomb was defeated by Russian electronic warfare and rendered useless.

Minh Duc (According to bne IntelliNews, Kyiv Independent)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/loai-bom-luon-gia-re-giup-tang-cuong-kha-nang-tan-cong-cua-ukraine-204240715145757553.htm