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Winged Glide Munition

Loitering MunitionThreat: HighOpen-Source Verified

Standoff glide bomb fitted with pop-out wings, GPS/INS guidance and a satellite-corrected autopilot. Released from a manned aircraft well outside short-range air defense, it glides 40–80 km onto fixed targets. Cheap upgrade kits convert legacy unguided bombs into precision standoff weapons, dominating Russian frontline strike since 2023.

Technical Specifications

range
40–80 km (glide), up to 100+ km from altitude
speed
700–900 km/h (terminal)
payload
250–1,500 kg warhead (legacy bomb body)
endurance
Single-use, 5–10 min glide
frequency
GPS/GLONASS + INS, no two-way link
cost Estimate
$25,000–$50,000 (kit) + bomb body
altitude
Released from 8,000–12,000 m
weight
250–1,500 kg total

Tactical Roles

Strike

Advantages

  • + Launched outside SHORAD/MANPADS engagement envelope
  • + Massive warhead vs. cost of guidance kit
  • + Very difficult to intercept once gliding (small RCS, high speed)
  • + Converts huge stockpiles of dumb bombs into precision weapons
  • + Operates in GPS-denied terminal phase using INS

Disadvantages

  • − Requires a manned launch aircraft inside contested airspace
  • − GNSS jamming/spoofing degrades accuracy
  • − Fixed targets only — no moving target capability
  • − No mid-course retargeting
  • − Vulnerable in terminal phase to medium-range SAM

Real-World Usage

  • ▸ Russian UMPK-equipped FAB-500/1500/3000 — primary frontline strike weapon in Ukraine 2023–2025
  • ▸ US JDAM-ER — wing kit on Mk-82/84 bombs
  • ▸ Turkish HGK / KGK glide kits

Counters This Drone

Countermeasures ranked by effectiveness — tap any system for details

GPS Spoofing / Navigation WarfareHighMedium/Long-Range SAM SystemHighHardened PNT / CRPA AntennaHighCounter-UAS Radar SystemMediumDirectional EW Rifle / Jammer GunMediumDecoys / Signature ManagementMediumRF Jamming SystemLowLaser Directed Energy WeaponLowMANPADS (Stinger/Igla class)LowSmoke / Obscurant ScreenLowPhysical Overhead ProtectionLowAI Vision Detection (EO/IR)LowMan-Portable EW BackpackLowShotgun / Small Arms InterceptNoneAcoustic Detection SystemNoneInterceptor Drone (Drone-on-Drone)NoneNet Gun / Net LauncherNoneCyber Takeover / Protocol ExploitationNoneC-UAS Autocannon / Dedicated AA GunNoneHigh-Power Microwave (HPM)NoneRF Detection / Spectrum AnalyzerNoneFiber-Optic Specific CountermeasuresNoneAnti-Drone Laser DazzlerNoneLocalized EMP DeviceNoneNet-Carrying Interceptor DroneNonePassive RF GeolocationNone

⚠ How This Drone Evades Defenses

Active adversary tactics — not passive limitations

  • ▸ Released from standoff range outside SHORAD coverage
  • ▸ INS continues guidance through GPS jamming
  • ▸ Small frontal RCS in terminal glide

Sources & Further Reading