Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the release trials of the Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’ from the Sukhoi aircraft. During the trials, Gaurav demonstrated its capabilities by hitting a target at a range close to 100 kms with pin-point accuracy.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Gaurav - Long Range Glide Bomb.
About Gaurav
- It is an air-launched one-thousand-kilogram class glide bomb capable of hitting targets at long distances.
- After launch, the bomb navigates towards its target using a precise hybrid navigation system that combines Inertial Navigation System (INS) and GPS data.
- It has been designed and developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad.
About glide bomb
- It is a stand-off bomb/weapon that uses aerodynamic surfaces to extend its range and accuracy compared to a conventional gravity bomb.
- It's released from an aircraft at a distance from the target.
- It has control surfaces, such as wings or fins, that allow them to glide and adjust their path, following a flatter trajectory than a traditional bomb, often guided by GPS, laser, or other targeting systems.
- It allows aircraft to stay out of the range of enemy defences while still delivering a precision strike.