Russia says 1.5 tonne FAB-1500 M54 bomb has been turned into an analogue of the US JDAM-ER smart bomb and the first launch from a Su-34 fighter jet

Russian propagandists report the first use of the FAB-1500 M54 smart bomb. The carrier is allegedly a Su-34 fighter jet.

Here's What We Know

As is often the case, the Russians have not provided any evidence that they were able to turn a 1.5 tonne FAB-1500 M54 into a smart bomb. Nevertheless, the Russian army has the technology itself. The analogue of the American JDAM kit is called the Unified Planning and Correction Module.

The equipment set is already in operation. This is known for sure. However, so far there is confirmation of the use of only FAB-250 and FAB-500. Moreover, two months ago, Russian propaganda published a video of a FAB-500 M62 launch from a Su-34 fighter jet.

Now the propagandists write that the FAB-1500 M54 has been equipped with a unified planning and correction module, which increases the launch range to 70-80 kilometres. Note that the Ukrainian Air Force uses the JDAM-ER to hit targets at about the same distance.

As we wrote above, the FAB-1500 M54 weighs 1.5 tonnes. The mass of the warhead is 675kg. Russian propaganda writes that the Su-34 can carry two bombs, and in the future it will be possible to equip it with three munitions. At the same time, the maximum payload of the aircraft is about 4.5 tonnes with a full tank of fuel.

Any statements by Russian propaganda should be treated with more than a healthy dose of scepticism. Nevertheless, in theory, the Su-34 fighter bomber can lift two FAB-1500 M54 bombs, even if each weighs more than 2 tonnes including additional equipment.