Ukraine Unveils Its Own “KAB” Glide Bombs—Finally Hits Back at Russian Tactics

Ukrainian engineers have developed a domestically produced glide bomb system that converts standard aerial bombs into long-range guided munitions, similar to Russia’s universal planning and correction module kit (UMPK).

According to Defense Express on June 25, the system—nicknamed the Ukrainian KAB—is already undergoing test flights and achieving ranges up to 60 kilometers, with plans to extend it to 80 kilometers.

The project is being led by the Ukrainian design bureau “Medoid,” which confirmed the system has been successfully dropped from a Su-24 frontline bomber in level flight.

Developers intentionally replicated the exterior design of the Russian UMPK to reduce development time but note that the internal components differ, particularly in aiming for greater precision.

The glide kit, designed for use with 500 kg bombs, includes domestically manufactured guidance and wing modules. According to Medoid’s representative, Oleg Vostrykh, the navigation system is Ukrainian-built, although tests are also being conducted with a navigation unit from a leading French manufacturer to improve resistance to electronic warfare. Some components, however, still need to be sourced from abroad.

At this stage, the system is capable of striking targets at 60 kilometers, matching operational requirements set jointly by the Ministry of Defense and the design bureau. The team is now working to increase the effective range to 80 kilometers.

Under optimal conditions, such as a release altitude of 10 kilometers, the theoretical maximum range could reach 100 kilometers, depending on tactical use.

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War in Ukraine

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The current test phase involves a series of trial drops, with initial results confirming the effectiveness of the release and glide systems. Further tests are required to complete the certification process through the Ministry of Defense.

However, Vostrykh emphasized that funding remains the primary obstacle to accelerating development and entering mass production.

The design bureau has launched a fundraising campaign through its own Foundation for Advanced Technologies, estimating the cost of one unit at approximately 1.2 million hryvnias, or about $25,000.

According to Medoid, Ukrainian forces require at least 100 guided bombs of this type per day, a demand that is not fully met by Western-supplied systems such as JDAM-ER, AASM Hammer, or GBU-39/B SDB. In comparison, even the current prototype is already more cost-effective than foreign alternatives.

Earlier, The Telegraph reported that Ukraine’s new Lima electronic warfare system has outperformed both Russian and Western counterparts in jamming guided aerial bombs used in Russian attacks.