Artist impression of FZAB-500, inclusing cutaway drawing.
Source: Unknown author. -
© copyright lies with original owner
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 It no longer remains in production, having been replaced by the FZAB-500M which remains available.
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.
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.
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