DRDO conducts release trials of long-range glide bomb 'Gaurav' from Su-30 MKI
DRDO carried out successful release trials of the indigenously developed long-range glide bomb 'Gaurav' from a Su-30 MKI aircraft on 8–10 April 2025, striking a land target on an island at a range close to 100 km, the Defence Ministry said on 11 April.
Summary
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted release trials of the long-range glide bomb (LRGB) 'Gaurav' from a Su-30 MKI aircraft between 8 and 10 April 2025, the Ministry of Defence announced on 11 April. The weapon, integrated in multiple configurations, hit a land target on an island with pinpoint accuracy at a range close to 100 km. Gaurav is a 1,000 kg class glide bomb designed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) with the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge and several MSMEs are its development-cum-production partners. CEMILAC and DGAQA are involved in certification and quality assurance.
Key facts
- Weapon
- Long-range glide bomb 'Gaurav', 1,000 kg class
- Platform
- Su-30 MKI
- Trials
- 8–10 April 2025
- Range achieved
- close to 100 km (land target on an island)
- Designers
- RCI, with ARDE and ITR Chandipur
- Production partners
- Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge, MSMEs
- Certification
- CEMILAC; quality assurance DGAQA
Practice MCQs 4 questions
From which aircraft did DRDO conduct release trials of the long-range glide bomb 'Gaurav' in April 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Su-30 MKI
Su-30 MKI: the trials were conducted from the Su-30 MKI between 8 and 10 April 2025.
Which DRDO laboratory designed the long-range glide bomb 'Gaurav', with ARDE and ITR Chandipur?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
Research Centre Imarat (RCI) designed it with the Armament Research and Development Establishment and the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.
In the April 2025 trials, the glide bomb 'Gaurav' hit a land target at a range close to:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 100 km
100 km: the target was on an island and was hit with pinpoint accuracy.
Consider the following statements about the glide bomb 'Gaurav': 1. It is a 500 kg class glide bomb. 2. Adani Defence Systems & Technologies and Bharat Forge are among its development-cum-production partners. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. Gaurav is in the 1,000 kg class, not 500 kg; Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge and MSMEs are its development-cum-production partners.