GNPP Region KAB-500Kr-F electro-optical guided bomb.

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Russia's family of KAB-1500, KAB-500 and KAB-250 smart bombs are an equivalent to the US Paveway II/III, GBU-8/15, and GBU-31/32 JDAM families of guided bombs. Sharing common design modules with unique seeker designs, and a range of standard warhead types, this family of weapons encompasses all of the baseline capabilities in their US equivalents.

The KAB (Korrektiruyeskaya Aviatsionnaya Bomba) family of weapons were developed during the 1970s by Moscow based GNPP Region, now part of Tactical Missiles Corporation, and it is likely that warstocks of the Paveway, Walleye and HOBOS captured in South Vietnam during 1975 played an important role in the design process. The basic configuration of the 500 kg weapons is common to the GBU-8 HOBOS TV guided bomb family using tail controls and fixed canards, less the GBU-8's lift enhancing strakes. The 1,500 kg weapon is closer to a hybrid of the Paveway II and HOBOS configuration, with steerable canards and spring deployed cruciform tail.



A number of different seeker/guidance packages are available for these weapons, which can  be supplied with a wide range of compatible warheads. In this fashion the optimal configuration for specific roles and missions can be chosen. Russian sources report, in additiona to daylight television, semi-active laser homing and satellite inertial guidance packages, also a millimetric band active radar seeker and thermal imaging (IIR) seeker in development.

The Su-27/30 Flanker and Su-34 Fullback are cleared to lift up to 6 KAB-500s or 3 KAB-1500s on wing stations 3 and 4, inlet stations 9 and 10, and centreline tandem stations 1 and 2. The KAB-500 is carried on a BD-3U adaptor, the KAB-1500 on a BD4 adaptor. The APK-9E Tekon datalink pod, used for some variants, is carried on inlet station 9, as is the Thales Damocles pod.

Russian industry manufactures a number of laser designators such as the Klyon PM/PS, Kaira 24M, I-25 Shkval, or a targeting pod such as the Sapsan-E. Recently the French Thales Damocles pod was licenced, with the laser exciter configured with Russian seeker coding.

Russia has licenced production of the modern Thales Damocles thermal imaging / laser targeting pod, which has already been supplied to Malaysia for the Su-30MKM Flanker.

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Technical Note #1

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Scene matching correlator technology is potentially very accurate due to its ability to exploit fine detail across an imaged scene to achieve a very close fit between the stored image of the target area and the imaged scene. The US Navy's more recent trials of the DAMASK correlator based JDAM seeker have been amongst the most accurate ever achieved by a guided bomb.

A particular advantage of correlator based seeker technology is that it can be used against aimpoints with very poor contrast or no contrast at all, providing that nearby objects in the imaged scene have good contrast. This is a major advantage against traditional video contrast locks, pioneered by the US during the Vietnam conflict on a range of TV guided weapons. Contrast lock based seekers have a long history of losing lock against poor contrast targets.

The Soviets took a strong interest in this technology and applied it to a range of developmental designs, a number of which have since become operational.

The KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr TV seekers are the best known examples. The technology has also been applied to the Iskander E TBM. It was also reported to have been used in a submarine launched ballistic missile designed for attacks on naval vessels, this technology claimed since to have been used by the PLA in the terminally guided DF-21 IRBM variant.

Source: Tactical Missiles Corporation, Russia

Source: Tactical Missiles Corporation, Russia

Основные тактико-технические характеристики
Показатели	КАБ-1500ЛГ-Пр-Э	КАБ-1500ЛГ-Ф-Э	КАБ-1500ЛГ-ОД-Э
Масса, кг (общая/ БЧ/ ВВ)	1525/1120/210	1525/1170/440	1450/1170/650
Габаритные размеры, м:
длина диаметр размах оперения	4,28 0,58 0,85 (закрытое) 1,3 (раскрытое)	4,28 0,58 0,85 (закрытое) 1,3 (раскрытое)	4,24 0,58 0,85 (закрытое) 1,3 (раскрытое)
Высота сброса, км	1 … 8	1 … 8	1 … 8
Скорость самолета при сбросе, км/ч	550 … 1100	550 … 1100	550 … 1100
Точность наведения на цель (Екво), м	4 … 7	4 … 7	4 … 7
Боевая часть	проникающая	фугасная	объемно-детонирующая
Тип взрывательного устройства	Контактный с тремя видами замедления	Контактный с тремя видами замедления	Контактный мгновенного действия

Warhead Type	Designator	Mass [lb]	Characteristics	US Equivalent
1,500 kg Penetration	Pr	~3,000	Subcalibre penetrator; 2 - 3 m reinforced concrete; 10 - 20 m soil;	None
1,500 kg Explosive	F	~3,000	Conventional blast fragmentation warhead	M118
1,500 kg Thermobaric	OD	~3,000	Thermobaric / Fuel Air Explosive	None
1,500 kg Cluster	K	~3,000	Cluster submunition payload	None
500 kg Penetration	Pr	~1,000	penetrator	J-1000
500 kg Explosive	F	~1,000	Conventional blast fragmentation warhead	Mk.83
500 kg Thermobaric	OD	~1,000	193 kg Thermobaric / Fuel Air Explosive filler with 25-30 metre lethal radius	BLU-96
500 kg Cluster	K	~1,000	Cluster submunition payload	WMD

OAO Peleng EO Seeker Characteristics
Dynamic Range [lx]	50 - 100,000
Target Resolution [distance less than 20 km]
Large Objects [features greater than 40 x 80 m]
Maximum Range [km]	15
Minimum Range [m]	100
Small Objects [features 3 x 3 m]
Maximum Range [km]	5
Minimum Range [m]	20
FOV Angles
Maximum	18º (Elev) x 24º (Az)
Minimum	3º (Elev) x 4º (Az)
Video Format	CCIR
Frame Rate [Hz]	50
Stabilisation	2 Axis Gyro
Seeker Field Of Regard	±30º
Maximum Angle Rate [º/s]	20
Maximum Angular Acceleration Rate [º/s2]	60
Seeker stabilisation (two axis sinusoidal excitation with maximum rate of 6.28º/s  and acceleration of 40º/s2)
LOS Stability	less than 0.4º
Tracking (NFOV, static target)	less than 0.05º
Power Consumption [W/ADC]	24-30/4
Dimensions (Dia x Length) [mm]	180 x 600
Source: http://peleng.by/
OAO Impuls Krym series (KAB-500/1500Kr)  EO Seeker Characteristics
Поле зрения объектива (по диагонали)	3,2°
Углы прокачки гиростабили-затора: по крену	±45°
Углы прокачки гиростабили-затора:  по курсу	±40°
Углы прокачки гиростабили-затора: по тангажу	от +35° до -57°
Угловая скорость автосопровождения	7°/сек
ГСН функционирует при освещенности на местности 50-100.000 лк и контрасте ориентиров не менее 0,15-0,2.
Дальность захвата цели (самолет на стоянке) при МДВ в 10 км -	15-17 км
Дальность ослепления	100 м
Помехозащищенность от пыле-дымовых помех при накрытии ими	до 40 % поля зрения ГСН
Source: http://www.ktrv.ru/press/46/199/427/408/?search=%EE%EF%F2%E8%EA%EE

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Stowed KTRV KAB-1500LG-F-E on display at MAKS 2009 (© 2009 Vitaliy V. Kuzmin).

The new KAB-1500LG is the enhanced laser semi-active homing 1,500 kg guided bomb intended to improve upon the accuracy of the earlier 27N semi-active laser homing seeker based designs.

The weapon uses a gimballed gyro stabilised semi-active laser homing seeker and optical design similar to the Paveway III series. The seeker is closest in appearance to the 24N1 series used for a number of existing laser homing missiles. It will provide similar characteristics to the baseline Paveway III seeker. The cited CEP is 4 to 7 metres which is consistent with this style of seeker and the P-nav control loop technology involved.

The KAB-1500L is the baseline laser semi-active homing 1,500 kg guided bomb developed for the FA-VVS and widely exported since the end of the Cold War. It achieved IOC in 1987.

The weapon uses the Azov 27N or later 27N1 semi-active laser homing seeker using an annular airfoil and optical design similar to the Paveway I/II series. It will provide similar characteristics to the baseline Paveway I/II seeker. The cited CEP is 7 to 10 metres which is consistent with this style of seeker and the bang-bang control loop technology involved.

Delivery envelope is 1 to 15 km AGL and 550 - 1700 km/h.

Variants:

1. KAB-1500L-Pr-E - Penetrating bunker buster with subclaibre warhead.
2. KAB-1500L-F-E - Blast fragmentation warhead equivalent to M118.
3. KAB-1500L-OD-E - thermobaric warhead / FAE.

KAB-1500L Laser Guided Bomb with surfaces stowed, on display at the Akhtubinsk Valeriy Chkalov State Flight Test Centre open day event, September, 2005 (via Vzlyot).

KAB-1500L-F on the Su-34 Fullback (Russian Internet).

KAB-1500Kr Electro-Optical Guided Bomb trials round, stowed, on display at the Akhtubinsk Valeriy Chkalov State Flight Test Centre open day event, September, 2005 (via Vzlyot).

The KAB-1500Kr series are Electro-Optical guided bombs. The seeker employs a gimballed daylight television imaging sensor under a wide angle glass dome. Unlike the earlier US GBU-8 HOBOS and AGM-65 Maverick which employed contrast lock technology, the -Kr series guidance system employs Scene Matching Area Correlation technology more akin to the US Navy DAMASK seeker or Tomahawk DSMAC. This results in the ability to attack low contrast targets by exploiting the contrast of nearby terrain features or objects.

The cited CEP is 4 to 7 metres which is consistent with this style of seeker and the P-nav control loop technology involved.

The  Krym series Electro-Optical seeker is built by OAO Impuls. It is limited to daylight operation. The 10 kg SU-609 guidance and control module is built by Tambovskii Elektropribor and comprises a BU-94 control unit and PG-16 gas generator. The characteristic mesh screen behind the optical window was introduced for EMC purposes and to prevent seeker jamming by RF signals.

Variants:

1. KAB-1500Kr-Pr-E - Penetrating bunker buster with subclaibre warhead.
2. KAB-1500Kr-F-E - Blast fragmentation warhead equivalent to M118.
3. KAB-1500Kr-OD-E - thermobaric warhead / FAE.

The KAB-500Kr-U is a captive carry training system for the KAB-1500Kr and KAB-500Kr guided bombs. It enables aircrew to practice acquiring and locking the bomb on targets. The unit weights 85 kg, is 1.83 m long and has a diameter of 0.35 m.

Raduga APK-9E Tekon datalink pod used with the KAB-1500TK variant.

The KAB-1500TK series are Electro-Optical guided bombs with a man-in-the-loop datalink. The seeker employs a gimballed daylight television imaging sensor under a wide angle glass dome. The design can be described as a fusion of ideas used in the GBU-8 and GBU-15 EO guided bombs. The APK-9 datalink pod is used to send steering commands to the bomb, and receive video from the seeker during flight for display in the cockpit. This seeker will achieve similar effect to the GBU-15 and will be extremely accurate.

The cited CEP is 4 to 7 metres which is consistent with this style of seeker and the P-nav control loop technology involved.

The  Krym series Electro-Optical seeker is built by OAO Impuls. It is limited to daylight operation. The 10 kg SU-609 guidance and control module is built by Tambovskii Elektropribor and comprises a BU-94 control unit and PG-16 gas generator. The characteristic mesh screen behind the optical window was introduced for EMC purposes and to prevent seeker jamming by RF signals.

The KAB-1500S-E is reported to be a 1,500 kg satellite aided inertial guided bomb. It is likely to use the same PSN-2001 receiver and guidance package as the smaller KAB-500S-E.

UPAB-1500Kr prototype on display at the Akhtubinsk Valeriy Chkalov State Flight Test Centre open day event, September, 2005 (via Russian Internet).

The UPAB-1500 (Universalnaya Planiruyushchaya Aviatsionnaya Bomba) glidebomb was first displayed to the public in 2005, in prototype form. Reports to date indicate that the weapon has a glide range of 70 km for a 10 km launch altitude.

According to Russian sources cited in Russia & CIS Observer, the guidance package for the first generation of this weapon is that developed for the KAB-1500TK, comprising a EO seeker in the nose section, and a datalink transceiver in the tail to transfer seeker imagery and steering commands between the bomb and the Raduga APK-9E Tekon datalink pod carried by the launch aircraft. The latter is intended to be the Su-34 Fullback,  Su-24M2 Fencer, Tu-22M3 Backfire C and Tu-160 Blackjack. As the Tekon pod has been integrated on most Su-30MK variants, the Flanker is thus also a candidate launch platform. In practical terms the guidance technique and performance makes this weapon a direct analogue to the GBU-15/EGBU-15 series but with greater glide range performance.

The aerodynamic design of the weapon is unusual, in that it employs a high aspect ratio small chord cruciform folding wing design, unique in contemporary glidebombs. When stowed, the cruciform main airfoils are slotted into strakes on the aft of the weapon fuselage. Tail controls, similar to the trailing edge design on the KAB-500/1500 tailkits, are employed.

It is intended that future variants be equipped with a range of different guidance packages, although it is likely that utility and cost will see the satellite/inertial system used most frequently. The production status of this weapon is currently unclear.

The KAB-500LG has been reported but has yet to appear in formal product offerings. This weapon is a 500 kg semi-active laser homing design likely to employ the same gimballed stabilised high accuracy seeker design as used in the existing KAB-1500LG series.

The KAB-500L is the baseline laser semi-active homing 500 kg guided bomb developed for the FA-VVS and widely exported since the end of the Cold War. It achieved IOC in 1979.

The weapon uses the Azov 27N or later 27N1 semi-active laser homing seeker using an annular airfoil and optical design similar to the Paveway I/II series. It will provide similar characteristics to the baseline Paveway I/II seeker. The cited CEP is 7 to 10 metres which is consistent with this style of seeker and the bang-bang control loop technology involved.

Delivery envelope is 1 to 15 km AGL and 550 - 1700 km/h.

Variants:

1. KAB-500L-Pr-E - Penetrating bunker buster with subclaibre warhead.
2. KAB-500L-F-E - Blast fragmentation warhead equivalent to M118.
3. KAB-500L-OD-E - thermobaric warhead / FAE.
4. KAB-500L-K-E - cluster warhead.
   

KAB-500L Laser Guided Bomb.

KAB-500Kr Electro-Optical Guided Bomb.

1. KAB-500Kr-Pr-E - Penetrating bunker buster with subclaibre warhead.
2. KAB-500Kr-F-E - Blast fragmentation warhead equivalent to M118.
3. KAB-500Kr-OD-E - thermobaric warhead / FAE.
4. KAB-500Kr-K-E - cluster warhead.

The KAB-500S/S-E series is Russia's first guided bomb which uses satellite aided inertial guidance, and is a direct analogue to the US GBU-32 1,000 lb JDAM. First trials were conducted in 2000, and the weapon displayed in 2003.

The cited CEP is 7 to 12 metres which is typical for this guidance type without differential GPS enhancement. The Kompas PSN-2001 (Pribor Sputnikovoy Navigatsii) satellite receiver is claimed to use 24 channels and be capable of using secure Glonass and GPS C/A signals. The weapon uses an impact fuse with three programmable modes.

Prototype KAB-500SE satellite aided inertially guided bomb on display at the Akhtubinsk Valeriy Chkalov State Flight Test Centre open day event, September, 2005.

The KAB-250S-E is reported to be a 250 kg satellite aided inertial guided bomb. It is likely to use the same PSN-2001 receiver and guidance package as the larger KAB-500S-E.

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Technical Report APA-TR-2009-0806

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