DRDO and IAF carry out successful flight tests of indigenously-developed smart anti-airfield weapon
- In Reports
- 03:44 PM, Nov 04, 2021
- Myind Staff
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) have carried out two successful flight tests of indigenously-developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). The first of the two tests were conducted last Thursday. The second flight test, launched by an IAF aircraft from Chandan ranges at Jaisalmer, was conducted on Wednesday.
“Two different configurations based on satellite navigation and electro-optical sensors were successfully tested. The electro-optical seeker based flight-test of this class of bomb has been conducted for the first time in the country,” said a DRDO official.
"The electro-optical configuration of the system is equipped with Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seeker technology enhancing the precision strike capability of the weapon," the ministry added.
Meant to disable airfield runways, SAAW is capable of hitting ground targets up to a range of 100 kilometres. It can carry a warhead of 125 kilograms.
The defence ministry said that the weapons were smoothly released and ejected by a newly adapted launcher and the intended target was hit with high accuracy.
“The telemetry and tracking systems captured all mission events throughout the flight. All the mission objectives were achieved,” the ministry added.
Speaking after the test flight, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy said the performance and reliability of the weapon has been proven.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh complimented the "synergistic efforts" of DRDO, IAF and the teams associated with the mission. Dr G Satheesh Reddy, secretary, department of defence R&D and chairman DRDO, congratulated the team saying the performance and reliability of the weapon has been proved.
Image Courtesy: The week
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