Ukraine's new homegrown glide bomb to transform battlefield — ISW
Photo: Ukraine has received its first domestically produced guided aerial bomb (Getty Images)
Analysts have explained how Ukraine’s first guided aerial bomb will change the nature of strikes against Russian forces, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and Business Insider.
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Vyrivniuvach. What kind of weapon is it?
The new Ukrainian guided aerial bomb has been named Vyrivniuvach. It was developed by members of the Brave1 defense hub over a period of 17 months.
Key characteristics:
- Warhead – 250 kilograms
- Strikes targets tens of kilometers away after release
- Can be used in any weather and at any time of day
- Preparation for use takes no more than 30 minutes.
The weapon is equipped with modern guidance algorithms and is compatible with existing Ukrainian aircraft and systems. It can be launched from F-16s and Mirage jets, though this requires additional certification.
Photo: What the first Ukrainian guided air bomb looks like (screenshot from t.me/zedigital)
Cheaper than US analogue
"This is not a copy of Western or Soviet solutions, but an in-house development by Ukrainian engineers for effectively striking targets tens of kilometers deep after launch," says Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
Vyrivniuvach costs about three times less than the American Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) kit, a Brave1 representative says.
How bomb will change Ukrainian Armed Forces tactics
The ISW notes that these new capabilities will allow Ukrainian forces to expand their campaign to intercept Russian troops and equipment in the immediate and operational rear.
Analysts emphasize that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are already successfully intercepting Russian logistics using drones, but the guided bomb allows them to strike fortified targets with a significantly larger warhead.
Russia has long employed similar tactics, using guided bombs with extended range to keep its aircraft away from the front lines and Ukrainian air defenses. Ukraine is likely to adopt this approach given its limited number of aircraft.
Ukraine has developed its first guided bomb. Minister Fedorov confirmed that it is already ready for combat use and will soon begin striking Russian targets.
Ukraine is also already producing three Flamingo missiles per day.
