OVERVIEW: The RBK-500-ZAB is an unguided, free-falling incendiary cluster bomb designed for area denial and anti-personnel missions using submunitions filled with thermite or magnesium incendiary compounds.

DETAIL: The RBK-500-ZAB was developed by the Soviet Union to disperse a large number of incendiary submunitions over soft targets such as infantry positions, supply depots, fuel storage areas, or flammable structures. It contains 117 ZAB-2.5SM submunitions, each of which disperses intense heat upon impact, igniting fires and causing severe burns or structural damage over a broad area. The ZAB-2.5SM bomblets are cylindrical and packed with thermite or magnesium-based agents that can burn through materials and cause secondary fires.

The RBK-500 casing opens in mid-air after being dropped from a tactical aircraft, releasing the bomblets in a wide footprint. These submunitions are designed for rapid ignition upon impact and are particularly effective in dry environments or against targets vulnerable to fire. The bomb is compatible with standard Soviet-designed aircraft bomb racks and can be fitted with various types of impact or time-delay fuzes.

Its intended use includes area denial, suppression of enemy troops, destruction of supplies, and psychological warfare. It is typically delivered from low to medium altitude by ground-attack aircraft.

NOTE:
IOC: ~1970s
Operators: Russia, Syria, Libya, Belarus, former Warsaw Pact states
Platform: Su-17, Su-22, Su-24, Su-25, MiG-23BN, MiG-27
Conflicts: Soviet–Afghan War, Syrian Civil War, Libya conflict, 2022 Russia–Ukraine war

SOURCE:
Russian Ministry of Defence ; Jane’s Weapons: Air-Launched ; Rosoboronexport ; Military Balance (IISS) ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) https://fas.org ; https://www.janes.com ; https://roe.ru ; https://www.iiss.org