MiG-21bis Weapons Variants and Combinations - Part Two: Air-to-Ground Armament

In the first part of this article, published in our April newsletter, the focus was on air-to-air weaponry for the MiG-21bis. This variant of the fighter was multi-role, so the armament intended for use against ground targets can be analyzed in a similar way and is the main focus of this second part of the article.

This cluster bomb is intended to be delivered

and used against targets using various types

of small-caliber bomblets (submunitions).

It is made of a thin-walled welded metal body

and is equipped with an ejection device for

ejecting the submunitions after having been

dropped, a suspension device with two eyelets,

a stabilizer with a rear cone, a bottom igniter

and a powdered propellant charge. Depending

on the nature of the target, it is filled with

fragmentation (against infantry), incendiary

(setting fires) or armor piercing (against AFVs)

submunitions, which are inserted into the case

fully ready for use. The loading of 2.5 kg bombs

is done out in two rows, while 10 kg bombs are

placed in one row.

The cluster bomb is activated by the powdered

charge by the time delayed TM-24B or

ATK

-

EB fuse, during its fall. Gas pressure cuts

the spring connecting the fuse housing with

a rod, which is released and presses on the

disc with the seal and pushes the bomblets

out of the container body. At the same time, the

stabilizer with the rear cone separates from

the bomb body.

Before loading the bomblets, the powdered

charge needs to be removed and the lid from it

with the units themselves inserted so that the

red-marked ends face the igniter.

In the first part of this article, published in our April newsletter, the focus was

on air-to-air weaponry for the MiG-21bis. This variant of the fighter was multi-

role, so the armament intended for use against ground targets can be analyzed

in a similar way and is the main focus of this second part of the article.

For options regarding the suspension of specific weapons under the wings

and fuselage of the aircraft, which a modeler building an armed MiG-21bis

should at least be inspired by, we recommend the diagram published

in the introduction to the above-mentioned first part of the article.

Tomáš Dedera

Part Two: Air-to-Ground Armament

MiG-21bis Weapons Variants MiG-21bis Weapons Variants

and Combinationsand Combinations

RBK 250 Cluster Munition

Title illustration Adam Tooby

TECHNICS / EQUIPMENT

INFO Eduard8

June 2025