OVERVIEW: The FAB-250M-79 is a Soviet-designed 250 kg general-purpose high-explosive bomb developed for tactical strike missions. It carries a warhead of approximately 100–120 kg of TNT-based explosive and is intended for use against soft targets, infrastructure, and light fortifications.

DETAIL: The FAB-250M-79 features a low-drag, ballistic casing optimized for external carriage and release from tactical aircraft. Its design includes reinforced tail fins for improved stability during free-fall and is compatible with standard Soviet and Russian suspension systems. The M-79 introduced refinements to casing strength and fuzing options over earlier models, improving reliability and safety during low or medium-altitude drops.

This bomb is widely compatible with a broad range of Soviet and Russian aircraft, including the Su-24, Su-25, MiG-23BN, and MiG-29. It is often paired with targeting pods or used in saturation bombing tactics due to its unguided nature. The FAB-250M-79 remains in service with many post-Soviet and export operators due to its low cost, rugged construction, and operational versatility.

It is generally employed in tactical strikes against depots, troop concentrations, field positions, or logistical hubs, where precision is less critical than payload volume.

NOTE:
IOC: Late 1970s
Operators: Russia, former USSR states, Syria, Iraq, Algeria, Angola, others
Platform: Su-17/22, Su-24, Su-25, MiG-23BN, MiG-29, others
Conflicts: Afghanistan (1979–1989), Syria (post-2015), various regional conflicts

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