RBK-500 is a Russian 500 kg cluster bomb.[1][2] It carries 15 "Motiv-3" SPBE-D antitank submunitions developed by NPO Bazalt with dual-mode infrared homing system.[3] It entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1987.[4]

In November 2023, during the Russo-Ukrainian war, Russian forces reportedly began deploying RBK-500s fitted with Unifitsirovannyi Modul Planirovaniya i Korrektsii (UMPK) standoff glide bomb kits against Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast, near Staromaiorske. It was the first time RBK-500s fitted with UMPKs were seen being used on publicly-available video.[5]

References

  1. ^ Pike, John. "RBK cluster bombs". www.globalsecurity.org.
  2. ^ ""That's Not a Cluster Bomb" - The Differences Between OFAB 250-270s and RBK-500s - bellingcat". 3 February 2016.
  3. ^ Pike, John. "SPBE 500-D single cluster bomb". www.globalsecurity.org.
  4. ^ Pike, John. "FSUE "SRPE "Bazalt"". GlobalSecurity.
  5. ^ "Russian Glide Bomb Kits Now Adapted For Cluster Munitions: Reports". The Drive. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.


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