The Ukrainian Air Force has added American GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) to its arsenal, significantly enhancing its strike capabilities against Russian forces.
Offer Considerable Reach
Reports of the bomb’s use, including video footage showing a MiG-29 deploying these powerful munitions, mark a pivotal upgrade for Ukraine, providing effective, long-range attack options designed to counter Russian defenses and electronic warfare measures.
The GBU-39/B SDB, a precision-guided glide bomb, measures 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) in length and weighs approximately 270 pounds (122 kilograms), according to L'Independent.
Its small diameter — about 7.5 inches (19 centimeters) — allows for a lightweight design optimized for efficiency and precision.
Equipped with deployable wings, the SDB can glide up to 68 miles (110 kilometers) when released from high altitudes, offering a considerable reach that permits Ukrainian aircraft to launch strikes from safer distances, keeping them out of range of Russian anti-aircraft defenses.
High Accuracy in Challenging Environments
In this latest operation, a MiG-29 fighter jet, modified to carry the GBU-39/B, was shown releasing eight of these bombs over Russian assault units and an ammunition depot in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The Soviet-era MiG-29, though originally not designed for Western weaponry, has been retrofitted with a BRU-61 rack, enabling it to carry multiple SDBs on a single mission.
This modification is a crucial adaptation, allowing Ukraine to arm its existing fleet with advanced munitions without acquiring new aircraft.
The GBU-39/B is known for its resilience against electronic jamming, a key feature given Russia's extensive use of electronic warfare.
With GPS guidance, the bomb maintains high accuracy even in challenging environments, enabling Ukrainian forces to hit strategic targets precisely and reduce collateral damage.
