A Simple Note on Indigenous LongRange Bomb Successfully Flight Tested

Before being successful the DRDO had last tested the indigenous long range bomb named as SMART in October,2020. The long-range missile system is canister-based missile system. The bomb is a part of the class of weapons with a range of 50 to 150 km.This allows it to be controlled from particular compartments. 

Secondly , the SANT missile was tested by the DRDO and it has lock-on and lock-off features which can be activated before launching. The missile weighs around 50 kg and has a MMW seeker in place of Helina’s infrared guidance and 8 kg highly explosive warhead. 

The DRDO used the following equipment to track the trajectory of the long-range missile :-

• Electro-Optic telemetry system
•  Multiple range radars 
• Down-range equipment 
• Down-range ships placed all around the Bay of Bengal. 

Beginning Of The Project 

The DRDO has always been ambitious about it’s development and it stated such a project from the mid of 2010 . This project was to develop the system of firing torpedoes which would be aided with long range missiles. After the vigorous testing the DRDO finally tasted success on 13th December , 2020. The first flight testing of the missiles were done on 5th October, 2020.

The first test which was fairly successful was done on 5th October, 2020 from the Abdul Kalam Island. This checked the missile’s flight, maximum range and altitude, release of the torpedo and of the velocity reducing mechanism. 

SMART System

The SMART (Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo) launching system has a mechanism which allows a torpedo to be launched from a missile system. This system increases the range of the longrange bomb which was 50 to 150 km earlier . 

Two main functions of SMART are :- 

• The capability of firing bombs for a longer range. 
• It also provides versatility to the launch platform of the missile system. 

The SMART system has long range missile carrier which has the capability to travel at supersonic speed and as a payload for Anti-submarine warfare has been taken care of by a lightweight torpedo . The launching of torpedoes is aimed for standoff distances. The DRDO launched the system with the help of Research Centre Imarat (RCI) . 

The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory known as the NSTL developed the indigenous long range bomb and other technologies related to diffusion of enemy bombs. The flight testing of the long range bomb was done with the supervision of Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment which controlled the velocity of the missile and the safety measures required. 

Details 

Type – It is an Anti-submarine missile . Anti-submarine missiles are usually torpedoes which deliver an explosive warhead aimed towards the submarine. 

Origin – The system of SMART is a home-grown weapon. It was first made in India. 

Use – The Indian Navy. 

Design – The design was made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. It was completed within 2018-2019 . 

Specifications – Advanced Light Torpedo Shyena (Warhead) . Two stage solid rocket engine for the missile and electric engine for the Torpedo. Solid fuel and silver zinc battery propellant was used. The long range bombs had (600+20 ) km operational length . Inertial navigation system along with a mid-course update is the mid-Course guidance system and the terminal guidance system is acoustic homing .The platform for launching is 8×8 BEML-Tatra TEL and a surface ship. 

Conclusion 

The long range bomb flight test is currently is third weapon of the indigenous category to be tested in recent times after SMART and SANT . These bombs and technologies have been strengthening the Indian Air Force and the army against the naval , aerial and land treats from other countries. Since these weapons are made in India they also set can example for each other about making world class weapons in India.