Though the Ukrainian Air Force’s arsenal is generally well-documented, occasionally, new and unusual munitions appear in photos. Recently, a Ukrainian MiG-29 was photographed carrying what appears to be a sea bomb equipped with an AASM Hammer kit.
A photo shared by a Ukrainian defense-focused Telegram channel shows the AASM Hammer kit attached to a 500-pound (230 kg) Mk-series high-explosive incendiary bomb. Interestingly, its color and texture suggest it might be a concrete bomb or have a similar coating.
Read more: Ukrainian MiG-29 Spotted with French AASM Hammer Guided Bomb (Photo)
In reality, this is a thermal protective coating designed to delay detonation in case of fire, commonly used on American aircraft carriers.

Such thermal coatings are rarely seen outside naval operations, as air forces typically use standard green casings at land-based airfields.

The U.S. Navy uses this coating out of necessity, a lesson learned from the devastating fire aboard the USS Forrestal on July 29, 1967, during the Vietnam War. A stray Zuni rocket from an F-4 Phantom hit an A-4 Skyhawk, igniting a fire that ultimately detonated bombs, piercing the deck and spreading flames below.
This tragedy cost the lives of 134 sailors, injured 161 others, destroyed 21 aircraft, damaged 40 more, and required five months and $72 million (in 1967 dollars) to repair.

Returning to the Ukrainian MiG-29’s 'naval bomb' equipped with the French-supplied AASM Hammer kit, one might wonder whether France applies similar safety practices and if the bomb originates from their only carrier, Charles de Gaulle. Observing French carrier-based aviation photos, it seems that only a few bombs carried by naval Rafales are thermally coated, suggesting a more limited use of this fire-safety measure.

This indicates that Ukraine may be receiving the AASM Hammer kits separately from the bombs. These kits are then attached to locally available bombs, turning them into precision-guided, long-range munitions.
Read more: Video Shows a Ukrainian MiG-29 Launch AASM Hammer Precision-Guided Standoff Bombs