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Russian bombs over Ukraine: 70 km range, aerodynamic wings and modified engines! Laser and GPS guided
Taiwanese company TRC has been contracted by the Russian Federation to produce and modify servomotors for UMPK modules, which are used to convert unguided bombs into high-precision glide bombs, international intelligence group InformNapalm revealed this, citing public activist Vadim Labas.
Taiwanese technology and the impact on the modernization of Russian bombs over Ukraine
According to Labas, the initial use of TRC's unmodified servomotors in the UMPK modules was part of Russia's first attempts to improve its bomb guidance systems. However, these servomotors were originally designed for the automotive industry, and not for military applications. For this reason, the components were not developed to withstand the extreme demands of a military environment.
Servo motors were designed for less demanding conditions, and their inability to support the heavy loads imposed by the control wings resulted in problems. Servo motor shafts often broke due to excessive stress, and the motors could not support the weight of the wings.
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Faced with these performance problems, Russian authorities turned to the TRC and requested modifications to the propellants to increase their durability and efficiency for military use.
In response to these demands, the TRC factory implemented several modifications in 2024. Five specific changes were made to the actuators, including the use of high-strength alloys for key components.
The engine was upgraded with a more powerful version capable of handling greater loads, ensuring that the modules could operate reliably in the extreme conditions required for precision-guided bombs. These modifications allowed Russia to improve the use of these bombs, transforming them into highly effective glide weapons.
Russian Glide Bombs: Strategic Reach and Challenges in Ukraine's Defense
Russian glide bombs are a key component of the country’s ever-evolving arsenal, designed to deliver high accuracy and significantly reduce risk to the launch platform. Unlike traditional unguided bombs, which rely on pure impact for their effectiveness, glide bombs are equipped with advanced wings, guidance systems and control mechanisms that allow them to glide toward their target from a considerable distance.
The most notable advantage of glide bombs is that they can be dropped from a safe distance, keeping the aircraft out of range of enemy defenses while still preserving accuracy. This makes them an increasingly preferred weapon in modern warfare, especially when precision strikes are required and the risk of close-range engagements needs to be minimized.
The operational role of Russian glide bombs is directly linked to improving the effectiveness of its air strikes. These bombs can be dropped from a variety of aircraft, including bombers and fighters, and their wide range allows them to strike heavily defended targets, such as military infrastructure, air defense systems, and critical command centers.
The accuracy of these bombs depends largely on the accuracy of their guidance systems, which are designed to lock onto a target and adjust their course in real time. This increases the likelihood of a successful strike, even in contested airspace, where traditional bombings may be less effective due to evasive maneuvers or the presence of anti-aircraft systems.
What makes Russian glide bombs particularly dangerous to adversaries is their ability to remain discreet and effective over long distances. The extended flight time afforded by their gliding ability provides the element of surprise.
Furthermore, these bombs can be equipped with multiple guidance systems, such as GPS, laser or inertial navigation, making them adaptable to different combat scenarios. Their ability to adjust their course in mid-flight, depending on the precision required for the mission, allows them to hit targets with extreme precision, even in complex or heavily defended environments.
The combination of its stealth and high probability of successful attacks poses a significant threat to enemy forces, especially those relying on static defenses or unprotected infrastructure.
The danger posed by Russian glide bombs goes beyond the immediate impact of their strikes. Given the increasing sophistication of these weapons, they represent a fundamental shift in modern warfare tactics. Glide bombs, with their long range and accuracy, allow Russian forces to strike strategic targets without having to engage in direct combat or rely on vulnerable bombers.
This makes them valuable tools in asymmetric warfare, allowing Russia to inflict significant damage on enemy forces while minimizing the risk of losing aircraft and pilots. This approach is particularly advantageous in scenarios where air superiority is at stake and even minor engagements can result in significant losses.
As with any advanced weaponry, countermeasures against precision-guided glide bombs have been developed. However, these countermeasures tend to be expensive, technologically complex, and not always foolproof.
A common defense involves the use of advanced radar and infrared tracking systems to detect incoming bombs before they reach their targets. This requires sophisticated early warning systems that can identify glide bomb launches from a distance, giving defending forces time to mobilize interceptors or anti-missile systems.
However, these systems do not always work effectively, especially in environments with electronic warfare tactics that can interfere with or confuse tracking systems.
Other countermeasures include the use of electronic warfare (EW) systems to interfere with or deceive the guidance systems of glide bombs, diverting them from their targets. While effective against certain guidance methods, such as GPS or infrared tracking, EW systems can be neutralized by more advanced or multispectral guidance technologies.
This makes it increasingly difficult for adversaries to completely neutralize the threat of these weapons. In addition, the development of more advanced air defense systems capable of intercepting and neutralizing guided munitions has not yet reached the same level of sophistication as Russian glide bombs.
Continued advancement in offensive and defensive technologies suggests that the arms race between glide bomb developers and countermeasure manufacturers is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
The growing use of Russian glide bombs represents a significant shift in the way air strikes are conducted, with a focus on long-range precision and minimal risk. Their ability to penetrate heavily defended areas while remaining out of range of enemy fighters and surface-to-air missile systems has made them a key part of Russia’s air strategy.
International Networks and Sanctions: How Russia Maintains Its Advanced Military Capability
Although countermeasures are being developed to combat these weapons, the threat posed by Russian glide bombs remains considerable.
As technology evolves, both in terms of offensive weapons and defensive strategies, the future of warfare is likely to rely even more heavily on precision weapons. This makes it critical that militaries adapt quickly to maintain an edge in the face of this growing threat.
This development is part of a broader pattern in which Russian forces have sought to circumvent Western sanctions and continue to utilize advanced military technology.
InformNapalm's investigation also revealed the involvement of the Kazakh company ARC Group, which has been providing services to Russian combat aircraft. SU-30SM, using French equipment from Thales and Safran.
Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia lost access to French military technologies and support services, prompting the Russian government to seek alternative ways to circumvent the restrictions.
The ARC Group has become a key intermediary, continuing to service and repair aircraft and associated technologies despite sanctions. The company has concealed its operations by acting as an intermediary between French suppliers, notably in partnership with Aircraft Repair Plant No. 405 in Kazakhstan.
Despite these attempts at concealment, seized documents and communications revealed that the ARC Group was directly involved in the maintenance of French military equipment in Russia, especially at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, responsible for the maintenance of the Su-30SM.
In October 2022, the Russian state-owned Rosaviaspetskomplekt fully financed the necessary training and certification for ARC Group specialists in France. The training was carried out at the Thales training center and focused on the maintenance of SMD 55S/66S and HUD systems at the organizational level (OLM).
This training was part of a broader Russian strategy to maintain its military capability in the face of international sanctions while ensuring its air force remained operational.
The French companies involved, Thales and Safran, have taken steps to combat these attempts to circumvent sanctions. In October 2024, both confirmed that they had terminated all contracts with the Kazaja plant.
In addition, Thales announced that it was considering taking legal action against the plant, with the aim of terminating contracts and possibly seeking compensation for damages. This development highlights the ongoing struggle between Russia’s need for advanced military technology and international sanctions designed to prevent such access.
The revelations about the TRC and the ARC Group highlight the complex global network that allows Russia to circumvent sanctions and maintain its military capabilities. These efforts reflect broader geopolitical dynamics in which countries like Russia increasingly rely on intermediary nations and companies to circumvent restrictions and access critical technologies.
As international sanctions continue to target Russian military infrastructure, these clandestine operations are likely to increase, creating a persistent challenge for Western nations seeking to limit Russia's military effectiveness on the global stage.
