| Equalizer (or Leveler) (Ukrainian: Вирівнювач, romanized: Vyrivniuvach) | |
|---|---|
 Dropping of "Vyrivniuvach" from an Su-24 | |
| Place of origin |  Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | DG Industry |
| Specifications | |
| Effective firing range | 40 km (25 mi) low-altitude |
| Maximum firing range | 130 km (81 mi) high-altitude |
| Filling weight | 250 kg (0.25 t; 550 lb) |
The Equalizer (or Leveler) (Ukrainian: Вирівнювач, romanized: Vyrivniuvach) is a Ukrainian designed and made guided glide bomb.[1] The combat readiness of the bomb was announced on May 18, 2026 by Ukraine's Brave1 initiative.[2][3]
Development
The precision-guided munition was conceived from scratch rather than copied from Western or Soviet systems over almost a year and a half by DG Industry.[2][3]
Design
The weapon is equipped with a warhead weighing 250 kg (0.25 t; 550 lb) and is designed to strike targets 40 kilometers to 130 kilometers away, depending the altitude of the drop.[4] It is equipped with modern guidance algorithms to improve target strike accuracy. It's intended to be ready for use in 30 minutes and effective in all weather conditions.[3] It is compatible with Ukrainian aircraft and weapons systems, and can also be deployed from F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters after additional certification.[3]
Cost and affordability
The aerial bomb costs approximately three times less than American JDAM guided munition kits,[3] which have also been in service with Ukraine since at least early 2023.[5]
Operators
On May 18, 2026 Ukrainian Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov announced that the new guided aerial bomb had passed the necessary testing and was ready for combat use. He noted that pilots have been developing combat scenarios and adapting the application of the new bomb to the conditions of war, and soon aerial bombs would be used in the Russo-Ukrainian war. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has already purchased the first experimental batch of munitions.[2]
Operational history
As of late June 2026, battlefield use of the ordinance has been documented.[6]
See also
References
- "Ukraine built its first-ever guided glide bomb, 'Vyrivniuvach,' as a much cheaper homegrown alternative to US-made JDAMs". Business Insider.
- Levytska, I. (2026-05-18). "First Ukrainian GBU ready for combat use – Fedorov". oboronka.mezha.ua. Oboronka. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
- Levytska, I. (2026-05-19). "First Ukrainian GBU "Vyrivniuvach" is three times cheaper than American JDAM-ER – Media". oboronka.mezha.ua. Oboronka. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- "Ukraine just showed world its first homegrown glide bomb in Paris".
- https://ukrainetoday.org/ukraine-has-created-the-equalizer-kab-it-is-three-times-cheaper-than-american-jdam-bombs-bi/
- "Нові українські КАБи вперше показали в дії: російську позицію знищено точними ударами (ВІДЕО)". 2026.
External links
- "First Ukrainian GBU ready for combat use". mod.gov.ua. Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. 2026-05-18.
- Shumlianskyi, D. (2026-05-19). "Ukrainian GBU "Vyrivniuvach" costs approximately three times cheaper than JDAM-ER". militarnyi.com. Militarnyi.
- Frolov, B. (2026-05-19). "Ukraine Created GBU "Vyrivniuvach": It Is Three Times Cheaper Than American JDAM Bombs – BI". www.unian.ua. UNIAN.