A photo has surfaced illustrating how SDB (Small Diameter Bomb) guided aerial bombs, otherwise known as GBU-39, are suspended under the MiG-29 aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The picture reveals modernizations applied to this fighter to enable the use of SDB.
The first indications of the potential adaptation of the MiG-29 to carry GBU-39 bombs emerged in public domain in late May 2024. Journalists mentioned that these guided aerial bombs could have been used against russian forces starting as early as February 2024.
Read more: Western Media Reports: Soviet Aircraft in Ukrainian Military Now Adapted for GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs
However, up until now, there have been very few images publicly available that confirm the adaptation of the MiG-29 for the GBU-39. The new detailed picture of the MiG-29 with integrated SDBs comes from the Air_Winged profile on X social media.
In the photo, the GBU-39 bombs are mounted on a standard BRU-61/A rack, which can hold up to four of these aerial munitions. Notably, the pylon-adapter appears to differ slightly from the pylon used for the JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition – Extended Range) on the same aircraft model.
Still, it's quite likely that the integration of the SDB might have been developed using the same technical solutions as in the case with the JDAM-ER.
There are also reports suggesting the possible integration of the GBU-39 on Ukrainian Su-27 fighters. However, the photos supporting these claims only show the pylon configuration, which could be used for such an upgrade but do not confirm the integration itself.
For a brief reminder, the GBU-39 bombs have a weight of 130 kilograms and a declared maximum range of 110 kilometers when dropped from an altitude of 12 kilometers. The practical range of the SDB when used from Ukrainian planes, which tend to stay much lower for safety, remains unknown.
A Ukrainian Su-27 with GBU-39/B SDBs. pic.twitter.com/REx4Dc1bUt— (@TheDeadDistrict) July 13, 2024
A notable technological paradox is that the SDB bombs are also a component of the GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) missile system. However, air-dropped munitions exhibit better accuracy when deployed from aircraft. This paradox and the reasons behind it were explored in a separate article by Defense Express.
Read more: GLSDB is Affected by EW But Air-Launched SDB is Not, Even Though it's the Same GBU-39: Why So
