Ukraine has created its own KAB: technical characteristics of unique weapons
Фото:
Today, June 25, Ukrainian developers from the Medoid Design Bureau confirmed successful tests of a domestic high-precision glider munition — an analogue of the Russian UMPK, known as the KAB (guided aviation bomb).
This is reported by Defense Express .
It is noted that this product could become a key tool for strengthening Ukrainian aviation in conditions of limited supplies of Western long-range weapons.
The Ukrainian KAB is already performing controlled flight at a distance of 60 km , and plans are in place to expand to 80, and potentially to 100 km . A cycle of test drops from the Su-24 front-line bomber is currently underway, which has already demonstrated the first successful results in terms of accuracy and resistance to electronic warfare (EW) means.
As explained in the design bureau, the appearance of the Ukrainian KAB specifically repeats the Russian UMPK, so as not to waste resources on new aerodynamic models. However, inside, it is a completely Ukrainian development, with a domestic navigation system, control modules and wings that are easily mounted on standard 500-kilogram aerial bombs.
The product has a modular design, which ensures quick installation in a matter of minutes. Not only Ukrainian companies, but also partner companies from France are working on the navigation system, which have proposed to incorporate modern technologies to increase accuracy even in conditions of active use of electronic warfare by the enemy.
At the current stage, the main barrier to accelerating the project has been a lack of funds . According to Oleg Vostrykh, a representative of KB Medoid, the cost of one KAB is UAH 1.2 million (approximately $25 thousand) . This is two to three times cheaper than Western analogues, but several tens of millions of hryvnias are needed to complete the test cycle and transition to serial production.
For this purpose, the “Charity Fund for Advanced Technologies” was created, which is engaged in attracting donor funds from Ukrainian and international partners.
The goal of the fund is to raise the necessary funding to complete up to a dozen control tests and obtain a conclusion from the Ministry of Defense, which will give the “green light” for serial production.
Today, the Ukrainian Armed Forces need at least 100 such glide bombs per day . Western supplies of JDAM-ER, AASM Hammer, GBU-39 SDB, despite their effectiveness, do not fully cover the front’s demand.
The Ukrainian KAB has a significant advantage not only in cost, but also in the speed of adaptation to the existing aviation platform. It was created specifically for Ukrainian Su-24s , which continue to perform combat missions in deep enemy rear positions.
The presence of such weapons will allow the Ukrainian military to effectively strike ammunition depots, command posts, air defense systems, and logistics of the occupiers — from a safe distance for the pilot.
After completing the test cycle — which includes not only technical verification, but also an analysis of effectiveness in combat use — the project will enter the stage of serial production. However, this requires active state support, including direct orders from the Ministry of Defense and coordination with the defense industry.
KB Medoid already has contractors among Ukrainian enterprises ready to take on the production of modules and components. If funding is allocated by the end of summer 2025, the first serial KABs could enter the army in the fall.
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