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Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ |
Why in News: –
- India has successfully conducted the first flight test of the indigenous Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from the Su-30 MK-I fighter jet of the Indian Air Force.
Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB)
- A Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) is an air-to-surface bomb capable of hitting targets located at long distances.
- ‘Gaurav’ is an indigenously developed 1,000 kg class glide bomb.
- It is specially designed to destroy enemy airstrips, bunkers, hard installations, and buildings.
When was the test done?
- DRDO successfully tested ‘Gaurav’ on August 14, 2024.
- It was launched from the Su-30 MK-I fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- The test was conducted off the coast of Odisha, with the bomb hitting its target on Long Wheeler Island with pinpoint accuracy.
Why is it important?
- The bomb enhances India’s precision strike capabilities, allowing it to target important enemy targets without exposing aircraft to high risk.
- The successful test reflects India’s advancement in defense technology.
Development:
- Indigenously designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) under DRDO.
- Adani Defence and Bharat Forge participated as development-cum-production partners.
Key Features:
- Range: Capable of hitting targets up to 100 km away.
- It can be used with Sukhoi Su-30 MK-I fighter jets.
- Capable of hitting targets that are outside the range of anti-aircraft defenses.
- Accuracy: It uses a hybrid navigation system, which combines Inertial Navigation System (INS) with Global Positioning System (GPS) data, ensuring highly accurate targeting.
- Warhead: The LRGB has conventional warheads, specially designed to be integrated with fighter aircraft.
- Telemetry Data: The entire flight data during the test was captured by telemetry and electro-optical tracking systems deployed along the coastline by the Integrated Test Range (ITR).
Significance:
- Enhances India’s precision strike capability, enabling the Indian Air Force to hit long-range targets such as enemy bases, airstrips, and bunkers with minimal risk.
- A major effort in India’s Indigenous defense technology development, enhancing self-reliance in military technologies.
- Demonstrates DRDO’s advanced R&D capabilities in the development of cutting-edge weapon systems.
- Strengthens India’s indigenous defense production and enhances self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.