Ukrainian Armed Forces have learned to «jam» Russian KABs — bombs fall in the field

Russian guided aerial bombs have become a real nightmare for the military and residents of the territories along the front line. However, it seems that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have found an effective way to counteract the CABs with electronic warfare.

At one time, UAS with a universal planning and correction module (UPCM) became «superweapon» Russians. Aircraft bombs, which are dropped in large numbers from aircraft, controlled by satellites are planning to move tens of kilometers deeper into the territory controlled by Ukraine. A year ago, they were massively attacking not only the fortified positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in cities such as Avdiivka, but also peaceful towns near the sites of active hostilities, such as Zaporizhzhia, without any effective countermeasures.

The occupying Russian forces based their tactics on the use of unexploded ordnance. The bombs completely demolished the fortifications, and the Ukrainian military was forced to leave the territories, which were then captured by Russian troops. Gradually, the situation has changed, and Russian sources recognize this. The bombs continue to fall, but they have actually become «blind», due to the interruption of satellite communications and correction systems.

Due to the massive saturation of the front line with appropriate electronic warfare equipment on the Ukrainian side, the Russians need 8-16 bombs with uncertain results instead of just one. According to the occupiers, all important potential targets on the Ukrainian side are covered by dense electronic warfare. The Russians still have a lot of inexpensive bombs (about $25,000), but they are dropped by aircraft, which the occupiers protect because of the risk of loss.

Due to the strengthening of electronic warfare, the Russians have also It is more difficult to launch conventional drones. In turn, this forces them to switch to fiber optic communication technology — for which there is currently no effective countermeasure. The Russians also have a lot of electronic warfare equipment, but it is often ineffective due to poor quality.

Electronic warfare equipment also helps to optimize air defense operations. Patriot or SAMP/T systems are capable of effectively hitting aircraft, but they are in short supply and there are few supplies. In addition, air defense systems are themselves a desirable target for Russian bombs and missiles.

Can it Ukraine to effectively use CAB analogues? The Ukrainian Armed Forces are armed with American JDAM bombs and French Hammer bombs with GPS guidance and backup autonomous inertial guidance systems, whose Russian counterparts are less accurate. Both sides in the war are jamming and destroying enemy satellite jamming systems, so it’s all about efficiency and, as always, quantity.

Source: Forbes