A 1000 kg glide bomb designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was successfully tested today, in Bay of Bengal of the coast of Odisha. The bomb was dropped by an Indian Air force aircraft, The bomb, guided by its ‘on board navigation system’ glided for nearly 100 km before hitting the target with great precision. The flight of the glide bomb was monitored by radars and electro-optic systems stationed at Integrated Test Range (ITR). Multiple DRDO laboratories namely, DARE, Bangalore, ARDE, Pune and TBRL, Chandigarh, with RCI, Hyderabad as the nodal laboratory have contributed towards development of the glide bomb. The complete avionics package and navigation system has been designed and developed by RCI.
Dr. Avinash Chander, Scientific Advisor to RM, Secretary, Deptt. of Def. R&D & DG DRDO has congratulated all the team members including the Air force team who have contributed in the success and stated, “ The nation today has capability to design, developed and launch heavy bombs for delivery up to 100 km away with high precision”. Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Distinguish Scientist and Director RCI stated, “Country has now become self-reliant in the area of guided precision bombs”.