GAURAV LONG RANGE GLIDE BOMB

Source: PIB

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Context

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out successful maiden flight test of Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), GAURAV from Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The test was conducted off the coast of Odisha.

Details

Long-Range Glide Bombs (LRGBs)

• Long-Range Glide Bombs (LRGBs) are precision-guided munitions designed to be released from aircraft, glide over long distances, and accurately strike targets while keeping the launching platform out of enemy defense ranges.
• Purpose:These bombs are used to destroy high-value targets with precision while minimizing the risk to the aircraft and avoiding collateral damage.
• Significance:LRGBs provide a standoff capability, allowing air forces to engage targets deep within enemy territory without exposing their aircraft to high-threat environments.

Evolution and Development of LRGBs

• Early Developments:
  • • World War II Era:The concept of glide bombs originated during World War II with weapons like the German Fritz X, which was a radio-guided bomb designed to destroy heavily armored ships.
    • Cold War Era:Early LRGBs were rudimentary, using simple wings for extended range and basic guidance systems, but their accuracy was limited.
• Modern Advancements:
  • • GPS/INS Integration:The integration of GPS (Global Positioning System) and INS (Inertial Navigation System) in the 1990s improved accuracy, allowing LRGBs to hit targets with high precision over long distances.
    • Advanced Guidance Systems:Modern LRGBs are equipped with multi-mode seekers (GPS, laser, and infrared) that enhance targeting accuracy, even in contested environments.
    • Stealth and Low Observability:Some LRGBs are designed with low-observable (stealth) features to reduce radar cross-section, making them harder to detect and intercept.

Key Features of LRGBs

• Extended Range:LRGBs can glide over distances ranging from 50 km to over 100 km, depending on the altitude and speed of the launching aircraft.
• Precision Strike Capability:Advanced guidance systems enable LRGBs to strike within a few meters of the intended target, making them suitable for use against high-value and fortified targets.
• Standoff Capability:Allows the launching aircraft to remain outside the range of enemy air defenses, reducing the risk to the aircraft and its crew.
• Modular Warheads:Some LRGBs can be equipped with different types of warheads (e.g., high-explosive, bunker-buster) depending on the mission requirements.

Types of LRGBs

• GPS/INS Guided LRGBs:
  • • Utilize GPS and INS for navigation and target accuracy.
    • Examples: JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition - Extended Range), which transforms unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions with extended range.
• Laser-Guided LRGBs:
  • • Use a laser designator to guide the bomb to its target, often used in dynamic targeting scenarios.
    • Examples: GBU-54 Laser JDAM, which combines GPS/INS guidance with laser homing capability.
• Infrared/Optical Seeker LRGBs:
  • • Equipped with imaging infrared or optical seekers for terminal guidance, allowing for target recognition and discrimination.
    • Examples: Spice 2000, an Israeli-developed bomb with an imaging seeker for high accuracy.

Tactical and Strategic Implications

• Operational Flexibility:LRGBs provide military commanders with flexible options for engaging targets in heavily defended or politically sensitive areas.
• Cost-Effectiveness:LRGBs are more cost-effective compared to cruise missiles while still offering high precision and long-range capabilities.
• Deterrence:The availability of LRGBs enhances deterrence by providing a credible, precise strike option without the need for large-scale military interventions.

Long-Range Glide Bombs (LRGBs) across the world

Attribute	JDAM-ER(USA)	Spice 2000(Israel)	Storm Shadow/SCALP(UK/France)	Taurus KEPD 350(Germany/Sweden)	GBU-39 SDB I (USA)	Gungnir(China)
Country of Origin	USA	Israel	UK/France	Germany/Sweden	USA	China
Range	Up to 80 km with wing kit	60-100 km	Over 250 km	Over 500 km	110 km	100-200 km
Guidance Systems	GPS/INS	Electro-optical, GPS, INS	GPS, INS, terrain-following radar, infrared	GPS, INS, terrain-following radar, infrared	GPS/INS, laser guidance	GPS/INS, advanced imaging seeker
Payload Capacity	2000 lbs (standard warhead)	1000 kg (high-explosive or penetration)	450 kg (penetration or blast/fragmentation)	480 kg (penetration or blast/fragmentation)	110 kg	500 kg
Launch Platform	Various aircraft (F-15, F-16, F/A-18, etc.)	Various aircraft (F-16, Mirage, etc.)	Tornado, Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon	Tornado, Eurofighter, Gripen	F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35	Various Chinese aircraft
Operational Use	Widely used by USA and allies	Used by India in Balakot airstrike (2019)	Used by RAF and French Air Force	Deployed by Germany, Spain, and South Korea	Deployed by the USAF	Deployed by PLA Air Force
Notable Features	Affordable, versatile, widely used	High accuracy with electro-optical guidance	Long-range strategic standoff capability	Extremely long range, deep penetration	Small diameter, precision strike capability	High precision with multi-sensor guidance
Stealth/Low Observability	No	Some low-observable characteristics	Yes (low radar cross-section)	Yes (low radar cross-section)	Yes (small size reduces radar signature)	Yes (low-observable design)
Warhead Types	High-explosive, penetration	High-explosive, penetration	Penetration, blast/fragmentation	Penetration, blast/fragmentation	Focused fragmentation, anti-personnel	High-explosive, penetration
Operational Status	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active

Long-Range Glide Bombs in India

Key Developments

• Gaurav Long-Range Glide Bomb:
  • • The Gaurav is a 1,000 kg class air-launched LRGB developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
    • It was successfully flight-tested from a Su-30 MK-I fighter jet.
    • This bomb is capable of hitting targets with pinpoint accuracy, employing a highly accurate hybrid navigation system.
• Khagantak Series:
  • • Developed by JSR Dynamics Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), the Khagantak series represents a leap forward in India's LRGB capabilities.
    • The Khagantak 306 and 243 variants offer operational ranges of 175 km and 144 km, respectively.
    • These bombs feature advanced GPS and ADC-coupled Navigation Systems that enhance resilience against jamming, ensuring accuracy even under adverse conditions.
    • The Khagantak bombs are also equipped with Wide Field of View Electro-Optical/Infrared (EQ/IR) seekers, which enhance long-range target detection.

Features and Capabilities

• Range and Precision:
  • • The Khagantak 306 and 243 glide bombs boast impressive glide ratios of over 12, allowing them to maintain high precision and maneuverability.
    • The Gaurav LRGB, with its hybrid navigation system, similarly offers high accuracy, ensuring effective target engagement at long distances.
• Standoff Capability: Both the Gaurav and Khagantak series emphasize standoff capability, enabling the delivery of munitions from a safe distance, thus reducing the risk to the platform and enhancing mission success.
• Indigenous Design and Production: The development of these LRGBs underscores India’s growing capabilities in indigenous defense production, reducing dependency on foreign technology and strengthening the country’s defense posture.

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Sources:

PIB 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q: Which of the following countries has developed a long-range glide bomb system capable of being launched from fighter aircraft and achieving precision strikes on enemy targets? United States Russia China Israel Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1, 2, and 3 only b) 1 and 4 only c) 1, 2, 3, and 4 d) 1, 3, and 4 only Answer: c)