FZAB-500


ФЗАБ-500


Overview


FZAB-500

Artist impression of FZAB-500, inclusing cutaway drawing.
Source: Unknown author. - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Aviation bomb
Entered service
1960's?
Status
Limited service
Development
1960's?
Developer
Soviet Union - Bazalt
Production
1960's? - 1980's?
Producer
Soviet Union - Bazalt
Unit cost
Believed to be in the same price range as the FAB-500 M54 general purpose bomb
Number produced
Produced in quantity
Designations
ФЗАБ-500 (cyrillic)
Notable users
Soviet Union

Description


Introduction

The FZAB-500 is a Cold War era incendiary fragmentation bomb of Soviet origin. This was derived from the FAB M54 series of general purpose bombs for increased effectiveness against industry, hangars, train stations and equipment in the field. Having been derived from common bomb designs this bomb may be carried and used on a wide range of Soviet aircraft without need for special integration.

Design

The original FZAB-500 was derived from the FAB-500 M54 general purpose bomb design but has a very different filler, consisting of high explosive and incendiary material. The fuse can be set to impact or time delay for use against targets located in tents or warehouses. Since it retains the weight and aerodynamic shape of the FAB-500 M54 the FZAB-500 can be dropped by any aircraft certified for the FAB M54 family of aviation bombs.

Firepower

The FZAB-500 is mostly effective against personnel and soft skin targets. The incendiary effect will render all stricken equipment useless. The fire may spread depending on target and weather conditions. The FZAB-500 is only effective when used against targets in the open or in softer types of buildings such as warehouses and tents. It causes a 350 m radius fire that burns for 2 minutes.

Platforms

The FZAB-500 has been cleared for use on the MiG-21 Fishbed, MiG-23 and MiG-27 Flogger, MiG-25 Foxbat, MiG-29 Fulcrum, Su-17 ans Su-22 Fitter, Su-24 Fencer, Su-25 Frogfoot, Su-27 Flanker, Tu-16 Badger, Tu-95 Bear.

Users

FZAB-500 been used by Soviet forces and remains in use with Russia. It is likely that the FZAB-500 has been exported to several Soviet allies. It no longer remains in production, having been replaced by the FZAB-500M which remains available.

Details


Facts FZAB-500
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Fragmentation incendiary bomb
Dimensions
Weight
478 kg
Length
1.54 m
Diameter
0.45 m
Wingspan
0.50 m
Lug spacing
250 mm
Guidance
Guidance mode
None, free fall bomb
Warhead
Warhead type
Fragmentation incendiary
Warhead weight
164 kg
Filler
12 kg high explosive (TNT and Tetryl)
164 kg incendiary material
Fuse
Selectable impact or time delay fuse
Effect
Fire with 350 m radius that burns for 2 minutes
Launch envelope
Release altitude
200 m minimum with time delay fuse
500 m minimum with impact fuse
25 km maximum (some sources indicate 15 km)
Release speed
Up to 1.200 km/h

Media


Related articles


FAB M54

FZAB-500 retains the weight and aerodynamic shape of the FAB-500 M54 and can be dropped by any aircraft certified for the FAB M54 family of aviation bombs.

FZAB-500M

The FZAB-500M was designed to replace the FZAB-500. It is derived from the FAB M62 streamline aviation bomb. Since it has more explosive filler and much less incendiary filler the effect is quite different.