UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3

Source: TOI

Context: India successfully conducted flight trials of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the NOAR test range, Kurnool.

• The missile marks a significant milestone in India’s indigenous drone warfare capabilities.

About UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3:

• What it is: A UAV-Launched air-to-surface precision guided missile, designed for engaging static and moving targets with minimal collateral damage.

• A UAV-Launched air-to-surface precision guided missile, designed for engaging static and moving targets with minimal collateral damage.

• Developed by: DRDO, in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Adani, and multiple MSMEs and start-ups under the Make in India initiative.

• Objective: To enhance India’s autonomous strike capability, allowing drones to deliver pinpoint attacks without risking pilots or manned aircraft.

• Variants:

• ULPGM-V1: Baseline prototype. ULPGM-V2: Production-ready variant (standard issue). ULPGM-V3 (ULM-ER): Extended-range, improved variant.

• ULPGM-V1: Baseline prototype.

• ULPGM-V2: Production-ready variant (standard issue).

• ULPGM-V3 (ULM-ER): Extended-range, improved variant.

• Key Features of ULPGM-V3:

• Precision Strike Capability: Fire-and-forget missile with imaging infrared (IR) seeker, ensuring day and night target acquisition. Extended Range Performance: Effective range: 4 km (day) and 2.5 km (night) due to dual-thrust solid propulsion. Advanced Targeting and Control: Two-way datalink enables real-time communication and mid-course updates, improving accuracy. Warhead Flexibility: Equipped with multiple warhead configurations, suited for anti-tank, bunker-busting, and soft target missions. Lightweight UAV Integration: Weight: 12.5 kg, enabling integration with lightweight drones like Rustom and TAPAS-BH UAVs.

• Precision Strike Capability: Fire-and-forget missile with imaging infrared (IR) seeker, ensuring day and night target acquisition.

• Extended Range Performance: Effective range: 4 km (day) and 2.5 km (night) due to dual-thrust solid propulsion.

• Advanced Targeting and Control: Two-way datalink enables real-time communication and mid-course updates, improving accuracy.

• Warhead Flexibility: Equipped with multiple warhead configurations, suited for anti-tank, bunker-busting, and soft target missions.

• Lightweight UAV Integration: Weight: 12.5 kg, enabling integration with lightweight drones like Rustom and TAPAS-BH UAVs.

• Significance for National Defence:

• Strategic Autonomy in UAV Warfare: Enhances India’s UAV-based offensive capabilities, crucial in border surveillance and anti-terror operations. Boost to Export Potential: High potential for export to friendly nations under the Defence Export Policy 2020. Technology Indigenisation Milestone: Validates DRDO’s capacity to develop and trial cutting-edge autonomous weapon systems.

• Strategic Autonomy in UAV Warfare: Enhances India’s UAV-based offensive capabilities, crucial in border surveillance and anti-terror operations.

• Boost to Export Potential: High potential for export to friendly nations under the Defence Export Policy 2020.

• Technology Indigenisation Milestone: Validates DRDO’s capacity to develop and trial cutting-edge autonomous weapon systems.