FZAB-500M
ФЗАБ-500М
Overview
FZAB-500M
A cutaway model of the FZAB-500M showing both types of warhead.
Source: SNV @ www.russianarms.ru -
© copyright lies with original owner
Russia - Bazalt
Russia
Description
Introduction
The FZAB-500M is a Cold War era fragmentation incendiary aviation bomb of Soviet origin. It was designed to augment and replace the earlier FZAB-500. Externally the FZAB-500M looks very similar to the FAB-500 M62 general purpose aviation bomb since it uses the same casing.
Design
The FZAB-500M is a modernized version of the FZAB-500. Unlike its predecessor it is derived from the more streamline FAB-500 M62 general purpose bomb. The forward half is filled with common high explosive while the rear half is filled with an incendiary substance. Due to the increased penetration it can be used against bunkers and solid structures. The reduction in incendiary content results in a much smaller radius in which fires are started. The combination of these characteristics give the FZAB-500M a quite different battlefield role than the FZAB-500.
Firepower
The FZAB-500M has a very different purpose and effect than the earlier FZAB-500. The aerodynamic shape and speed allow it to penetrate solid structures and most regular types of bunkers. With a time delay fuse it can explode after penetration. About half of the bomb is made up of explosive filler, making the effect more akin to the FAB-500 M62. The incendiary content creates about 100 combustion centers in a radius of 70 to 80 meters.
Platforms
The FZAB-500M 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-500M was used by Soviet forces and remains in use with Russia. It is possible that the FZAB-500M has been exported to several Soviet and Russian allies. The FZAB-500M remains in production today.
Details
Related articles
FAB M62
The FZAB-500M uses the outer casing of the FAB-500 M62 streamlined general purpose aviation bomb.
FZAB-500
FZAB-500M was designed to replace the earlier FZAB-500 bomb derived from the FAB M54 design. FZAB-500 has a much larger incendiary area effect, but lacks the ability to penetrate hardened structures.