OVERVIEW: The FAB-500M-46 is a Soviet 500 kg general-purpose bomb designed for medium- to high-altitude delivery against fortified or area targets. It carries a warhead of approximately 210 kg of high explosive and is optimized for aerodynamic stability.

DETAIL: Developed in the mid-20th century, the FAB-500M-46 features a thick-walled steel casing and uses TNT or A-IX-1 as the main explosive filler. The “M-46” designation reflects its pre-stabilized fin assembly design introduced around 1946. The bomb is unguided and designed for high-speed release from jet-powered tactical bombers and strike aircraft, maximizing ballistic precision in level or dive bombing profiles.

It is compatible with standard Soviet and Russian bomb racks and employs various mechanical or electrical fuzes, including impact and delay-action types. The robust casing allows for significant penetration before detonation, increasing effectiveness against hardened targets such as bunkers, runways, and storage depots.

Aircraft such as the Su-24, Su-17, MiG-23BN, and Tu-22 frequently carry the FAB-500M-46 in combat and training operations. While it has largely been superseded by newer variants, it remains in use with several post-Soviet and allied air forces due to its proven effectiveness and logistical availability.

NOTE:
IOC: ~1950s
Operators: Russia, Belarus, Syria, Vietnam, others
Platform: Su-24, MiG-23BN, Su-22, Tu-22
Conflicts: Vietnam War, Soviet–Afghan War, Middle East conflicts

SOURCE:
Jane’s Weapons: Air-Launched ; Russian Ministry of Defence ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org ; TsNIITochMash Technical Reports