Russia Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
KAB-500
A Russian 500 kg precision-guided bomb family available in laser (KAB-500L) and satellite/inertial (KAB-500S) guided variants, used by Russian tactical aircraft for precision strikes ahead of the newer, cheaper UMPK glide-bomb kits. It remains in active use for higher-precision strike missions.
In service since 1984
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
20
km range
500
kg warhead
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Russian state channel
Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.
Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 1984. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from.
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
- Range
Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.
- 20 km Stronger than 21% of missiles
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
- Warhead
Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range.
- 500 kg Stronger than 83% of missiles
- Warhead type
Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable.
- Penetrating or blast-fragmentation
- Guidance
How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.
- Semi-active laser homing (KAB-500L), GLONASS/INS (KAB-500S), Electro-optical (KAB-500Kr)
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
- Length
Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.
- 3.05 m
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
- Propulsion type
Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…
- Unpowered guided bomb
Specifications compiled from public Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) KAB-500? +
The Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) KAB-500 has a maximum range of 20 km.
What is the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) KAB-500 used for? +
The Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) KAB-500 is a missile typically used for deep strike.
How much does the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) KAB-500 cost? +
Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) KAB-500: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
