Ukraine Converts Soviet Bombs into Precision Weapons with New FAB-500 Glide Kit

In a landmark achievement for its domestic defense industry, Ukraine has successfully tested a new glide module designed to convert Soviet-era FAB-500 bombs into precision-guided munitions, giving the country a much-needed standoff strike capability amid ongoing conflict with Russia. Developed by Kyiv-based firm KB Medoid, the new system is expected to significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to hit strategic targets from safer distances.

On June 25, 2025, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense unveiled the results of the first successful tests of the new FAB-500 glide module. The innovation retrofits the standard 500 kg high-explosive bomb—originally intended for unguided drops—with foldable wings and a dual-mode navigation system. Once released from aircraft like the Su-24M, the modified bomb can glide up to 60 kilometers toward its target. A version with an 80 km range is currently under development.

Technically, the glide module incorporates inertial navigation systems (INS) along with satellite guidance, allowing the bomb to autonomously steer itself mid-flight toward a pre-programmed target. This leap in precision dramatically reduces the need for pilots to approach heavily defended enemy airspace, improving aircraft survivability against Russian air defense systems like the S-300 and S-400. In the future, Ukraine plans to integrate anti-jamming systems, developed with French assistance, to improve reliability in contested electronic warfare environments.

The concept is not entirely new. Russia has been using similar kits known as UMPK (Universal Gliding and Correction Modules) to great effect since 2023, giving them an edge in precision strikes. But Ukraine’s new module marks its first homegrown answer to this threat. Engineers reportedly studied debris from downed Russian glide bombs and used battlefield experience to reverse-engineer a similar capability suited for Ukrainian resources and aircraft.

Compared to its Russian and Western counterparts, Ukraine’s system is more cost-effective and simpler to produce, thanks to the large stockpiles of FAB-500 bombs left from the Soviet era and the use of existing aircraft platforms. Although it does not match the precision or resistance to jamming of American JDAM-ERs or French AASM kits, it offers a critical balance between capability, availability, and affordability under wartime conditions.

The strategic importance of this system cannot be overstated. Ukraine can now target enemy command centers, fuel depots, supply convoys, and troop concentrations without risking the lives of its pilots or relying solely on NATO-supplied guided weapons. In a broader sense, the development marks a step toward military self-reliance and greater operational autonomy in the face of Russian aggression.

If Ukraine manages to scale production and deploy these glide kits across its remaining combat aircraft, it could help level the playing field in an asymmetric conflict. KB Medoid's work represents a powerful example of innovation under pressure, where necessity has driven rapid advancements in converting old equipment into modern military tools.

By breathing new life into outdated bombs, Ukraine has not just added a new weapon to its arsenal—it has made a bold statement about resilience, ingenuity, and the will to fight smarter with what it has.