Iranian Sadid-345 planning bomb: characteristics and capabilities

 

The Sadid-345 planning Iranian bomb

Iran's experience in using Sadid missiles and bombs in the Syrian war has led to the production of a new type of Sadid-class bombs. The Sadid-345 bomb was also presented at the exhibition of achievements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2014. In the Sadid-345 bomb, the front wings have become fixed, and it is designed to provide the maximum lift-to-drag ratio. But the rear wings still fold into the body of the bomb. It should be noted that the only representative of the Sadid family, the technical characteristics of which were officially announced and published at the MAKS-2017 exhibition in Russia, is the Sadid-345 planning bomb.

According to the specifications of Sadid-345, this bomb is suitable for attacking enemy manpower, radar equipment and artillery. This bomb has three types of guidance, one of which is television guidance, the accuracy of which is the lowest, with an accuracy error of 5 meters. To obtain a television-quality image, good weather conditions are needed, and this imposes very large restrictions on the effective use of the bomb. But there is also a type of Sadid-345 bomb with a laser-guided seeker, which has a declared deviation error of 2.5 meters from the target. Laser guidance also loses its effectiveness in dusty and foggy weather conditions. The third type of conventional guidance on this bomb is guidance with an IR seeker, the accuracy is also 2.5 meters, which is a very good indicator. Considering that the Sadid-345 bomb with a thermal imaging seeker can be used in any weather conditions.

The mass of the warhead and the range of the Sadid-345 bomb were not reported. Taking into account the increase in the length of the Sadid-345 by 470 mm and the increase in the weight of the bomb by almost 15 kg, the estimated weight for this bomb can be considered about 20 kg of explosives. It should be noted that in the above calculation, the increase in the weight of the wings is considered equal to the removal of the engine and its fuel consumption. Some sources mention a variant named Sadid-362, which must be the same as Fatah-362, that is, the Sadid-1 missile.

Technical characteristics of the Sadid-345 gliding bomb:

- Weight: 34 kg

- Length: 1630 mm

- Diameter: 152 mm

- Type of warhead: Cumulative

- Objectives: Destroy various moving and stationary targets

- Warhead: BB H6 – fragmentation

- Fuse type: Impact

- Damage radius: 30 meters

- Type of aircraft: UAV

- Accuracy of hitting:

When using the IR seeker, the accuracy of hitting within the target radius is 2.5 x 2.5 meters.

When using a laser seeker, the accuracy of hitting from laser radiation is 2.5 meters.

When using optical GPS in the absence of image processing errors, the accuracy of the radius of damage is 5 meters.

China's "hydrogen non-nuclear bomb": some details

 

The main secret of this new type of ammunition lies in a material called magnesium hydride. When it encounters high temperature or a catalyst, it quickly decomposes into magnesium and hydrogen. The hydrogen then burns violently with the surrounding oxygen, instantly releasing a large amount of heat and forming a large fireball.

Usually, magnesium hydride is a solid that is safe to transport and store. The decomposition process can also be precisely controlled. The energy per unit mass is higher than that of standard TNT. During the experiment, a "hydrogen non-nuclear bomb" weighing only 2 kg detonated, instantly creating a fireball with a temperature of more than 1000 degrees. Celsius. Gorenje ball's burning time was more than two seconds.

For comparison, the temperature of the TNT explosion of the same mass is not so high, and the duration of the fireball is even shorter, only 1/16 of the previous one. However, the "hydrogen non-nuclear bomb" also has weaknesses. The maximum pressure created by its explosion is less than half the pressure of TNT.

The difference between these two explosives determines their "specialization." Conventional TNT-based munitions form a super-strong shockwave of instant explosion, but their ability to withstand high temperatures is weak. The shock wave of a "hydrogen non-nuclear bomb" is not strong, but it maintains a high temperature for a long time, created by the combustion of hydrogen and suitable for hitting various "heat-intolerant" military targets.

In general, although the "hydrogen non-nuclear bomb" cannot replace traditional ammunition, it will definitely find its place on the battlefield of the future. Its appearance vividly demonstrates China's capabilities in the research and development of new ammunition.

The United States launches the B61-13 gravity nuclear bomb

The United States is launching the latest B61-13 gravity nuclear bomb

The American Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) has unveiled the latest gravitational nuclear bomb B61-13, the serial production of which started 7 months ahead of schedule. It was developed as part of a 2023 project by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Safety Administration.

The B61-13 is a continuation of the concept of the previous B61—7 and B61-12 models, but with updated security systems that exclude outside interference in the actuation mechanism. In addition, the B61-13 is equipped with a power-controlled warhead, which allows its power to be programmed from 10 to 360 kt.

This makes it possible to use it both against conventional targets with minimal damage, and to destroy large buried objects. The bomb will be equipped with a tail unit, which will turn it into a homing precision weapon launched from an aircraft before it enters the enemy's air defense zone. The carrier of the B61-13 will initially be the B-2 Spirit bomber. In the future, it will be replaced by the promising stealth bomber B-21 "Raider".

A new high-precision ammunition for the MAM-L UAV has been developed

 

High-precision ammunition for the MAM-L UAV

Developed by the Turkish company Roketsan specifically for use with UAVs, the high-precision small–sized ammunition (bomb) MAM-L (SMM - Smart Micro Munition) weighing 22 kg is actually a "trimmed" version of the ATGM Roketsan L-UMTAS (weight 37.5 kg) with the removal of the rocket engine section and equipped with a laser semi-active guidance system. The length of the ammunition is 1 m, the caliber is 160 mm. A 10 kg warhead can be of two types – high-explosive fragmentation or tandem cumulative. It is claimed that when dropped from a significant altitude, the range of the MAM-L exceeds 8 km. The MAM-L (Smart Micro Munition) is a special lightweight guided munition designed for attack drones. This bomb is equipped with a high-precision laser beam guidance system and performs a gliding flight to the target. The ammunition guidance system allows you to hit with an error of no more than one meter.The combat effectiveness of the MAM-L has already been proven when using the Bayraktar TB2 by the armed forces of the Republic of Turkey. As the experience of the Turkish army has proved, high-precision guidance of ammunition and a relatively small warhead make it possible to use the MAM-L against an enemy who is hiding behind civilian objects, without risking civilian life. 

Specifications:

- Diameter: 160 mm

- Length: 1000 mm

- Weight: 22 kg

- Maximum range: 8 km

- Type of warhead: high-explosive fragmentation or tandem cumulative

- Control system: Laser beam guidance GPS

- Target type: Heavy armored vehicles and armored vehicles

- Media: UAVs, light attack aircraft.

ISL IGB 50 Guided Bomb for Attack UAVs

 ISL IGB 50 guided bomb 

From the point of view of the overall architecture and design features, the IGB 50 product is a guided planning bomb. At the same time, the design of such ammunition uses a number of interesting solutions aimed at improving overall combat effectiveness.

An original fuselage has been developed for the IGB 50. It is made of composite material and has a special shape formed by two curved surfaces. In the central part there are longitudinal niches to accommodate the folding wing, and in the tail there are rudders and stabilizers. It is claimed that such a "glider" provides the required flight characteristics and reduces the visibility of the bomb for radars.

The exact dimensions of the bomb were not disclosed. Judging by the published materials, the length of the product does not exceed 1-1.2 m. The wingspan is not more than 0.8-1 m. The caliber of the aerial bomb is set at 50 kg. At the same time, the actual weight of the product may differ slightly from the stated one.

The IGB 50 is equipped with a combined control system. On the main part of the trajectory, the flight is carried out using satellite and inertial navigation. In the target area, an optoelectronic head is attached to the guidance process. The control system can be connected to the onboard equipment of the carrier drone to obtain the necessary data.

The optoelectronic GPS is made using artificial intelligence. Electronics and special software must determine the target against the background of various objects and accompany it regardless of the maneuvers of the ammunition. It is claimed that the IGB 50 product can attack a selected target along different trajectories. Both a gently sloping approach and an almost vertical drop are possible. In all cases, high accuracy of the hit is claimed.

After the drop, during an independent flight, the aerial bomb can reach a speed of at least 0.5 m. The claimed and proven drop range is 50 km. Perhaps the IGB 50 is capable of flying faster and further. Such parameters mainly depend on the characteristics of the media.

Chinese non-nuclear hydrogen bomb: a new threat

 China is testing a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb, according to a scientific article.

The weapon generates a white-hot fireball that lasts 15 times longer than a fleeting TNT flash.

The 2 kg (4.4 lb) bomb created a fireball of over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than two seconds — 15 times longer than equivalent TNT explosions. — without using any nuclear materials, the report says.

The device, developed by the 705 Research Institute of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), a key player in the production of underwater weapons systems, uses a magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage material.