The Gaurav long-distance glide bomb during its test-flight. (Photo: MoD)
New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden test-flight of its long-range winged glide bomb, “Gaurav”. The test was carried out from an Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet off the coast of Odisha on Tuesday, the defence ministry said in a release.
The Gaurav is an air-launched glide bomb that can carry several types of warheads. Although the exact or maximum range of the bomb is not yet officially revealed to the public, the defence ministry said the 1,000-kilogram-class glide bomb is designed to hit targets at extended distances with high precision. This advanced weapon steers towards its target using a hybrid navigation system that combines inertial navigation system (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.
The bomb’s development has been spearheaded by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad.
#BreakingNews#Gaurav #MadeInIndia Long Range Glide Bomb developed by @DRDO_India successfully test fired from @IAF_MCC Su 30 MKI fighter today.
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During the test, the Gaurav demonstrated its capabilities by hitting a target at a distance of 100 kilometres on Abdul Kalam Island (earlier called Wheeler Island) with pinpoint accuracy. The entire flight was meticulously monitored by senior DRDO scientists, with telemetry and electro-optical tracking systems deployed along the coastline to capture comprehensive flight data.
It may be mentioned that the DRDO is also developing a smaller version of the glide bomb, which it tentatively named “Gautham”. It is said to be a 550-kilogram non-winged glide bomb with a range of 30 kilometres. Both weapons are seen as crucial components of India’s strategy to modernize its military and reduce dependence on foreign defence equipment.
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, lauded the DRDO, IAF, and industry partners for their collaborative efforts in achieving this milestone. He emphasized that the successful test of the Gaurav long-distance glide bomb is a testament to India’s commitment to developing indigenous defence technologies, which are crucial for strengthening the nation's security.
The secretary of the Department of Defence (R&D and chairman of DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, congratulated the entire team for their dedication and hard work. He highlighted that the successful flight test of the Gaurav is a significant step forward in India’s defence capabilities and will greatly enhance the operational readiness of the IAF.
