Russia's experimental weapon unleashes havoc in Kharkiv
The Russians attacked Kharkiv using an experimental weapon that caused a significant crater and considerable destruction. Here's what is known about the mysterious hybrid of the Grom-E1 bomb and missile.
The Ukrainians report that at exactly 8:51 PM Eastern Time, on the night of October 28 to 29, 2024, a mysterious hybrid of a missile and bomb, the Grom-E1, fell on a house in the Osnovianskyi district. It destroyed four houses and damaged 19 others.
The Russians reportedly used a special rocket bomb developed for the Su-57 aircraft in this attack. Little is known about it, but the first mentions date back to 2015, with more details emerging from photos of wreckage in Ukraine.
Conceptually, it is an evolution of the FAB-500 bomb with a UMPK module, to which the Ch-38 missile propulsion section was added. The entire assembly is said to weigh about 600 kilograms, with explosives making up approximately 315 kilograms.
This concept is similar to the French-guided bombs AASM Hammer, which is also equipped with a rocket booster. As a result, the Russian glide bomb, when released from a high altitude, has a range of up to 120 kilometres, allowing it to strike targets beyond the reach of most anti-aircraft systems.
Only systems like the Patriot, SAMP/T, or S-300 (if Ukraine acquires missiles) can intercept planes flying at high altitudes over a distance of more than 100 kilometres.
The Grom-E1 bomb's guidance system is similar to that of other guided FAB UMPK bombs, relying on a combination of inertial and satellite navigation. This results in accuracy within a few meters, even in the presence of electronic warfare systems. However, with such a large explosive payload, this lack of precision management is less of an issue.
An advantage for the Ukrainians is that Grom-E1 bombs are not made by converting old equipment; they require new construction. For this reason, their supply is limited, and Russian attacks using them are infrequent.
