New Delhi: In a significant achievement for India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), GAURAV, from an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30 MK-I platform. The test was carried out off the coast of Odisha.
GAURAV, a 1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb, is designed to strike targets at long distances. Utilizing a highly accurate hybrid navigation system that integrates Inertial Navigation System (INS) and GPS data, the bomb can steer precisely towards its target after being released. The GAURAV bomb has been indigenously designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, marking a significant milestone in India’s self-reliance in defense technology.
During the test, GAURAV successfully hit its target on Long Wheeler’s Island with pinpoint accuracy. The complete flight data from the test was captured by telemetry and electro-optical tracking systems deployed by the Integrated Test Range along the coastline. Senior DRDO scientists monitored the flight, with participation from Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, the Development cum Production Partners, who played a crucial role in the flight trial.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh lauded the DRDO, IAF, and industry partners for the successful test, calling it a major milestone in India’s efforts to develop indigenous defense technologies. He emphasized that this achievement would further strengthen the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.