The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully tested a long-range bomb (LRB) in October. The armament was tested on 29/10 from a Su-30MKI Flanker-H fighter.
According to Ministry of Defense, after launch, the LRB was guided over a long distance to a ground target, hitting it accurately, within specified limits. All mission objectives have been successfully accomplished.
The guided bomb's flight was monitored by a range of ranged sensors, including Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS), Telemetry and radar deployed by the Integrated Test Range in Odisha.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the IAF and DRDO teams involved in the successful test. Singh also stated that this will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Armed Forces. In January, India tested anti-aircraft bombs developed by DRDO with the Hawk-I jet.
Although he did not give more details about the test, the bomb tested is believed to be the DRDO Gaurav, a long-range version of the Gautham bomb, guided by GPS and inertial navigation. Both weigh around 1000kg.
While the Gautham has an estimated range of 30km, the Gaurav can reach 100km thanks to the wings that make it a glide bomb. The armament should bring more stand-off capability to the Indian Air Force, in addition to being an option to SPICE 2000 Israeli, already used in India.
