In News:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted release trials of the indigenously developed Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from a Su-30 MKI aircraft.

About LRGB ‘Gaurav’

• Type: Air-launched, precision-guided munition.
• Purpose: Designed for accurate strikes on land targets from stand-off distances, i.e., beyond enemy air defence range.
• Indigenously developed by DRDO under the Ministry of Defence.

Key Features

• Range:
  • Demonstrated precision strike at nearly 100 km.
  • Operational range: 30–150 km.
• Variants by Weight:
  • Gaurav (winged): 1,000 kg
  • Gautham (non-winged): 550 kg
• Guidance Systems:
  • Inertial Navigation System (INS)
  • Satellite-based navigation (e.g., GPS/IRNSS)
  • Digital control for enhanced accuracy

Significance

• Boosts India’s precision strike capability.
• Promotes self-reliance in defence technology under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Related Concepts

Glide Bomb:

• A precision-guided munition that travels significant distances without powered propulsion.
• Uses aerodynamic lift to glide toward the target.
• Navigation via INS, GPS, or laser guidance.

Su-30 MKI Aircraft:

• A twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft.
• Developed jointly by Sukhoi Design Bureau (Russia) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) combat fleet.