The indigenously-designed light weight 'Glide' bomb was successfully tested on Friday thereby adding to the capability to hit enemy airfields from a distance instead of the aircraft flying over the target and dropping the bomb. As the name suggests, the bomb technically termed as Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW)glides evading enemy radars before hitting the airfield at a range of more than 70 kms.
The nearly one-ton bomb designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) was fired from an IAF aircraft and the bomb glided through precision navigation system reaching the targets at more than 70 km, officials said. Three tests were conducted with different release conditions at the Integrated Test Range(ITR), Chandipur, Odisha, they said.
The DRDO in collaboration with the IAF designed the precision-guided bomb and had tested it last year too, sources said adding the US and Israel is also developing this capability. Explaining the significance of the Indian tests, they said the aircraft can now fire the bomb from a distance without entering enemy airspace thereby avoiding detection and retaliatory attack.
The guided bomb is developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO along with other laboratories of the DRDO and IAF. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated the DRDO scientists and IAF for the successful tests. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and chairman DRDO, S Christopher, congratulated the team and said SAAW will be inducted soon into the armed forces. Director General Missiles and Strategic System of DRDO G Satheesh Reddy termed the test a major milestone in the indigenous capabilities to develop guided bombs.
Officials said this long range air to surface weapon can be launched from Jaguars and SU-30 and in future can be integrated into Rafale jets to be inducted into the IAF within the next two to three years.
This bomb can destroy the fortified runways of enemy airfields and make it difficult for the rival to conduct flying operations including take offs and landing.