The Ukrainian design bureau “Medoid” is developing a domestic equivalent of Russian guided aerial bombs. The system, which can convert a conventional bomb into a glide bomb, is currently undergoing testing. At this stage, the Ukrainian bomb has a range of 60 kilometers, with plans to extend it to 80 kilometers in future iterations.
Footage of the tests was published by Defense Express. According to the report, the bomb was released from a Su-24 bomber during level flight. While the engineers used the external design of the Russian system as a reference, they developed an entirely new internal architecture, aiming to create a more accurate and efficient guidance system.
“The glide and control module for the 500 kg bomb is our own design. The wings are easy to mount onto the bomb,” noted Oleg Vostrykh, a representative of the Medoid design bureau. “There’s no issue with attaching them – just a few minutes of work. Domestic manufacturers are involved in the production process.”
He also mentioned that the engineers used a locally developed navigation module but are considering testing a component made by a leading French company. This addition could potentially improve the system’s resilience and immunity to electronic warfare interference. The bureau also confirmed that the system includes several other foreign components.
At this stage, the glide bomb is already capable of flying up to 60 kilometers and hitting a designated target. However, engineers are working on improvements to extend the effective range to 80 kilometers. Technically, if the bomb is released from an altitude of 10 kilometers, it could potentially reach up to 100 kilometers, though actual range will depend on the chosen deployment tactics.
“We’re currently in the testing phase. The test drops have so far been carried out from a Su-24 during level flight, and the results have been positive,” say representatives from the design bureau. “Specifically, the bomb’s range, release system, and glide performance have met expectations. Around ten more test drops are needed, which will be reviewed by the Ministry of Defense before the system can be approved for use. But right now, the main obstacle to moving forward quickly is funding.”
The bureau has a “Charitable Foundation for Advanced Technologies,” which is collecting funds to complete the testing cycle. “We’re exploring every possible avenue because the cost of a single unit is about 1,200,000 UAH, or roughly $25,000,” the engineers explain. “At this stage, funding is arguably the main factor holding back the final development and the start of serial production.”
Ukrainian forces have a significant demand for long-range aerial bombs – at least 100 units per day. While the military does have access to Western models such as the JDAM-ER, AASM Hammer, and GBU-39/B SDB, these systems do not fully meet operational needs. This makes the development of a domestic guided bomb particularly relevant. Moreover, the cost of a Ukrainian-made system is expected to be lower than that of its Western counterparts.
Source: defence-ua
