Autotranslated:
spoiler
MOSCOW, March 21 – RIA Novosti. Russia has launched mass production of three-ton high-explosive aerial bombs FAB-3000, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
“The production of FAB-500 aerial bombs has been increased many times, the production of FAB-1500 has been doubled, and since February of this year, mass production of FAB-3000 has been organized,” the Ministry of Defense said.
Russia has also expanded the range of ammunition produced. In addition, since last year the volume of production of modern artillery and aviation weapons has increased fivefold, the ministry added.
It is noted that such results were achieved thanks to the reactivation of capacities, technical re-equipment and modernization of production lines for the manufacture of projectiles using modern high-tech equipment.
Thus, since 2022, more than 45 thousand square meters of production space have been reconstructed, modernized and put into operation, the department emphasized.
At the enterprise that Shoigu visited, they said that most of its sections work around the clock on a three-shift schedule, and the total number of personnel has grown by more than 1,100 people.
“At the same time, tariff rates and salaries were increased and the bonus system for employees was changed, and therefore wages increased by an average of 20 percent,” the plant reported.
In general, as the Minister of Defense indicated, the Nizhny Novgorod defense industry enterprises fulfilled the tasks that were set for them a year ago. In addition, by introducing new facilities, they are working ahead of production schedule.
A recent video out of the war shows the shell shock after just being in the same general area of a 1500kg FAB-1500: https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineRussiaReport/comments/1bjnk9i/ua_pov_affected_afu_soldiers_after_surviving_a/
Shell shock is believed to not just be PTSD, but the overpressure of the explosions repeatedly damaging your brain and overall nervous system like an American football player. The last article I saw about the number of FAB sorties being launched per day said it was around 100~ with a current-but-expanding range of 60-70km. These are of course just artillery shells with metal wings and a GPS attached to them, with Russia doubling production of the FAB-1500s since their deployment.
In this war I don't see how the Ukrainians can counter that weapon short of a NATO no-fly zone which would immediately become WW3. Russia can strike any of the western anti-air systems that have been sent over with minutes between ID and impact. It's going to be like that Stephen King short story where everything collapses due to universal dementia.
"Even" a FAB 500 is a beast. If you've seen the kind of destruction Kalibr missiles make - those have warheads of 200-400 usually (at least AFAIK). Now imagine three times that. Modern weapons are quite horrific
The visible blastwaves are so huge. JDAMs only weigh 230-910kg. I've seen videos of 1500s taking out entire factories, and even if you managed to survive that it'd result in life-changing brain damage. Between these and drones there's no way in hell I'd ever let myself be conscripted.
Missiles travel at a faster speed and so deliver more kinetic energy at the point of impact. Gravity bombs need to have a bigger nominal payload to make a similar impact.
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I'm scared of just how much destruction such a bomb could inflict. the 1500Kg one was already huge.
It's going to be some horrific footage once these are in the field. If a 1500 can take out a factory, a 3000 must be capable of killing everyone on a military base.
Nizhny Novgorod region is quite rich in defense oriented industry. Airplane components, ship components, plenty of stuff. Plus there is (or perhaps was) an oil refinery that was recently struck by a drone.
tariff rates and salaries were increased and the bonus system for employees was changed, and therefore wages increased by an average of 20 percent
I'd like to see actual numbers, because:
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Salaries in the region aren't that high. Better by far than in many other regions of the country, and the averages are muddied by various factors, but factory workers don't make a lot
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Inflation and general rise in prices is eating up salary increases pretty quick. Need prescription meds? Those are now more expensive or can't be bought because sanctions. Groceries? Retail chains are feeling an opportunity and hiking prices. Gasoline? That was climbing anyway.
Additionally, I have to wonder what is the purpose of this bomb. And what happened to using cruise missiles the way it was in 2022
Additionally, I have to wonder what is the purpose of this bomb.
The FAB1500 has proven exceptionally effective when equipped with guidance modules at breaking Ukrainian fortified positions. It looks to me like the Russian military is simply learning what works and doing more of that.
And what happened to using cruise missiles the way it was in 2022
They are still being used. Just yesterday there was another massive wave of missile launches, if i am not mistaken. Missiles are deep strike precision weapons, very useful for striking targets in the rear like logistics nodes but they don't pack quite the same punch and are in shorter supply.
Whereas cheaper and more abundant ordinance like the FAB are more appropriate for large scale everyday frontline use. You have to use the right tool for the right job.
You have to use the right tool for the right job.
I agree with that, that's why I'm concerned - have to wonder what the job in question is. What kind of fortification requires a three ton bomb? Especially a high-explosive one, as opposed to a armour breaking kind, like the BetAB series. I may have strong opinions on Ukrainian regime and the nazi battalions, doesn't mean I can't feel queasy about a free falling (if guided) bomb that can level a city block. Would prefer my country doesn't go all yankee style carpet bomb flattening of an enemy, ya know?
Taking out large NATO armor formations or groupings perhaps? Taking out NATO bases that get involved. That and big infrastructure, taking out bridges, big defense factory complexes. Putting big annoying holes in airfields if they try and use them for F-16 launches.
All kinds of things. It's still interesting to me how patient and precise Russia is. Avoiding sewing the seeds of future conflicts because unlike the US they do not benefit from such sewing next door to them most of all.
I also think it could be for psychological effects. Already you see the impacts of shell shock from these larger weapons. One goal is to demoralize the enemy, to sap their will to fight, to increase desertion, willingness to surrender, etc. Just seeing something that size going off nearby has to be terrifying.
It's hard to tell how much of the article itself is propaganda, this just happens to be the first/most official announcement of the FAB-3000 which western sources haven't begun covering yet. Sputnik also covered it but both are state-owned media outlets so you're getting the most Kremlin-friendly perspective. It seems there's a Telegraph article that has less information and is still based off the Defense Ministry announcement: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/03/21/ukraine-russia-war-live-kyiv-missiles-explosions-klitschko/
spoiler
Russia has begun mass producing three-tonne high-explosive bombs for use in the war in Ukraine, its defence ministry has said.
The Russian defence ministry said on Thursday that production of the FAB-3000 aerial bombs had begun in February.
Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister, was also informed that mass production of several other bombs – the FAB-500 and FAB-1500 – had also been ramped up, Russia’s Sputnik news reported.
The FAB-3000 weighs 3000kg and is a general-purpose aerial bomb, used to destroy fortified military and industrial structures and shelters.
Russian military bloggers earlier this month posted videos of FAB-1500 glide bombs – which weigh 1,500kg and glide –destroying multi-storey buildings in Ukrainian-held towns near the front lines in Donbas.
From my observations so far the Russian MOD when it does lie does so by omission. It may be that they present an overly rosy or optimistic picture sometimes but i haven't seen them put out any outright false information so far. I wouldn't be surprised to see this thing being put into action sometime this year.
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