Odisha: In a significant advancement for India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) named GAURAV. The test was carried out from the Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) off the coast of Odisha.
The GAURAV, a 1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb, demonstrated its capability to strike targets over long distances with pinpoint accuracy. Upon launch, the bomb employs a sophisticated hybrid navigation system that integrates Inertial Navigation System (INS) and GPS data to precisely guide it to its target.
Developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, the GAURAV glide bomb successfully hit a target set up on Long Wheeler’s Island during the test. Telemetry and electro-optical tracking systems, managed by the Integrated Test Range along the coastline, captured comprehensive flight data throughout the trial.
The flight test was closely monitored by senior DRDO scientists, with participation from Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, the development and production partners for the project.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the successful test, highlighting it as a major milestone in the nation’s effort to advance indigenous defense technologies and bolster the capabilities of its Armed Forces.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also extended his congratulations to the entire DRDO team for their successful execution of the LRGB flight test.
