The RBK-250 (Russian: Разовая бомбовая кассета, meaning “single-use bomb cassette”) is a Soviet-era cluster bomb developed in the early 1970s by SRPE Basalt in Moscow. It remains in service today with Russia and has been widely exported.
Design and Functionality
The RBK-250 consists of a cylindrical steel frame with an aluminum outer shell, ranging from 1.5 to 2.15 meters in length and about 325 mm in diameter. It carries various types of submunitions (bomblets) arranged around a central pyrotechnic charge that ejects them over a target area in a “watering-can” pattern after the main bomb casing is blown off by a time fuze.
The bomb features stabilizing fins and box wings for aerodynamic stability when dropped from aircraft or helicopters. It can be deployed at altitudes as low as 60 meters and speeds from 200 to 1200 km/h.
Variants and Submunitions
There are multiple versions of the RBK-250, distinguished mainly by the type of bomblets they carry:
- RBK-250 AO-1: Contains 150 AO-1 fragmentation bomblets, shaped like mortar rounds, each with a blast radius of 7–10 meters.
- RBK-250 ZAB-2.5: Loaded with 51 incendiary bomblets containing thermite or napalm mixtures, burning for several minutes and covering areas from 3,900 to 28,400 square meters.
- RBK-250 PTAB-2.5: Equipped with 30 shaped-charge anti-tank bomblets capable of penetrating up to 120 mm of armor.
- RBK-250-275: An improved model with a pointed nose and extended tail, carrying variants like AO-1STsch and PTAB-2.5M bomblets with enhanced capabilities, including increased armor penetration and fragmentation effects.
- RBK-250A: Designed for chemical warfare with bomblets containing chemical agents, though these were phased out following disarmament efforts.
Operational History
The RBK-250 saw first use during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and has since been employed in conflicts including both Chechen wars, the Gulf War, Yugoslav Wars, Afghanistan’s civil war, Sri Lanka, Libya, Syria, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and various African conflicts.
Delivery Platforms
The RBK-250 can be carried and deployed by a wide range of Soviet and Russian fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including:
- Fighter jets: MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, MiG-29, MiG-35
- Attack and fighter-bombers: Su-17, Su-20, Su-22, Su-24, Su-25, Su-30, Su-34, Su-35
- Bombers: Tu-22M, Tu-160
- Trainer aircraft: Aero L-39 Albatros, Yak-130
- Helicopters: Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-28, Ka-29, Ka-52
