DRDO completes development trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3 in Air-to-Ground & Air-to-Air modes
New Delhi, May 20
Defence Research and Development Organisation has successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3 in Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The trials were carried out using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) to command and control the ULPGM weapon system. The GCS features state-of-the-art technologies to automate readiness and launch operations.
DRDO has partnered with two production agencies - Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited, Hyderabad - for the development and production of the missiles. The system has been integrated on UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru, for current trials.
The ULPGM missile has been developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, as the nodal lab along with other DRDO laboratories, namely Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.
The missile has been produced entirely through the Indian defence ecosystem involving a large number of MSMEs and other industries. The trials confirmed a fully mature domestic supply chain, equipped for immediate serial mass production.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, PSUs, Defence cum Production Partners and industry for the successful development trials of ULPGM-V3 in Air-to-Ground mode for anti-tank role and Air-to-Air modes for Drone, Helicopter and other airborne targets. He termed it a strategic milestone achieved towards Aatmanirbharta in Defence.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat congratulated all the teams associated with the trials for the commendable achievement.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Impressive to see DRDO moving from concept to production with a fully domestic supply chain. As an expat in India, I've seen how the defence ecosystem has matured. The integration with Indian MSMEs is the real story here.
Air-to-Air mode for drones is a game-changer! Imagine using this against enemy surveillance drones and helicopters. But I worry about cost overruns and delays that have plagued other DRDO projects. Let's hope this one stays on track.
Great development! The Ground Control System with automated readiness is a smart feature. But I want to know the range and payload capacity. That will determine how useful it is in high-altitude border areas like Ladakh. Numbers matter.
Full marks to DRDO for involving private players like Adani and Newspace. This is the kind of public-private partnership India needs. But my only concern: is the GCS truly secure from cyber attacks? In modern warfare, that's as critical as the missile itself.
Good to see DRDO deliver on time. The anti-tank role is critical for Pakistan border. However, I'm skeptical about mass production timeline. We've heard 'immediate serial production' before with other projects. Let's see if they meet the deadline.
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