The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) have successfully carried out two flight tests of indigenously-developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).The weapon was launched from IAF aircraft at Chandan ranges in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on October 28 and November 3.
i.The two flight tests have been conducted using 2 different configurations – Satellite Navigation and Electro-optical sensors.
- This is the 1st time that India has conducted a Bomb test using Electro-optical sensors, which was also developed indigenously.
ii.The SAAW is capable of carrying a warhead of 125 kilograms (kgs) with a precision target hitting range of 100 kms.
Key points
i.The electro-optical configuration of the system is equipped with Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seeker technology for enhancing the precision strike capability of the weapon.
ii.All activities of the mission were captured using the Telemetry and Tracking system.
About Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW)
i.The SAAW is a long-range precision-guided anti-airfield weapon designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad with the support of DRDO Laboratories and IAF.
- The Weapon Integration process of SAAW, was carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore.
ii.The weapon is designed to strike ground targets, especially adversary airfield infrastructure or similar strategically important installations.
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RUDRAM – India’s first Anti-radiation air-to-surface missile that was indigenously developed by DRDO for IAF.
- The missile is integrated on SU-30 Mk1 fighter aircraft.
About Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) –
Headquarters -New Delhi, Delhi
Founded- 1958
Chairman- Dr. G Satheesh Reddy
