Bhubaneshwar: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) named 'GAURAV' from an Su-30 MKI platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The test took place off the coast of Odisha, marking a significant advancement in India's indigenous defence capabilities.
The GAURAV glide bomb is a 1,000 kg class air-launched weapon designed to engage targets at long distances. After being released from the aircraft, the bomb uses a highly accurate hybrid navigation system, combining Inertial Navigation System (INS) and GPS data, to steer precisely towards its target. The bomb was designed and developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad.
During the flight test, GAURAV successfully hit its target with pinpoint accuracy. The entire flight was tracked and monitored through telemetry and electro-optical tracking systems deployed by the Integrated Test Range along the coastline. The test was closely observed by senior DRDO scientists, with participation from Development cum Production Partners, Adani Defence and Bharat Forge.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, the Indian Air Force, and industry partners for the successful test, calling it a major milestone in India's efforts to develop indigenous defence technologies, further strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces.
Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, also congratulated the entire DRDO team on the success of the GAURAV flight test. /BI
Also Read:
- DRDO successfully flight-tests Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System
- Successful developmental trials of High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ‘ABHYAS’
