DRDO flight-tests UAV-launched precision guided missile ULPGM-V3 at Kurnool
On 25 July 2025, DRDO announced successful flight-trials of the UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile ULPGM-V3 at the National Open Area Range, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
Summary
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on 25 July 2025 that it had successfully flight-tested the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. ULPGM-V3 is an enhanced version of the ULPGM-V2, with a high-definition dual-channel seeker, day-and-night capability, a two-way data link, and three modular warhead options: anti-armour, penetration-cum-blast (anti-bunker) and pre-fragmentation. The trials, in the anti-armour configuration, used a UAV developed by Bengaluru start-up Newspace Research Technologies. Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited (Hyderabad) were Development cum Production Partners, along with 30 MSMEs and start-ups.
Key facts
- Announced
- 25 July 2025
- Range
- National Open Area Range (NOAR), Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
- Missile
- ULPGM-V3 (upgrade of ULPGM-V2)
- Warheads
- Anti-armour; penetration-cum-blast; pre-fragmentation
- Tested config
- Anti-armour
- UAV
- Newspace Research Technologies, Bengaluru
- DcPPs
- Adani Defence, Bharat Dynamics Limited + 30 MSMEs/start-ups
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where were the flight-trials of DRDO's ULPGM-V3, announced on 25 July 2025, carried out?
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Correct answer: A — National Open Area Range, Kurnool
PIB (25 July 2025): DRDO carried out flight-trials of ULPGM-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The UAV from which ULPGM-V3 was released during its July 2025 trials was developed by:
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Correct answer: B — Newspace Research Technologies, Bengaluru
PIB: the missile was released from a UAV indigenously developed by Indian start-up Newspace Research Technologies, Bengaluru.
Consider the following statements about ULPGM-V3 (July 2025): 1. It is an enhanced version of ULPGM-V2. 2. It offers three modular warhead options, and the July 2025 trials were in the anti-armour configuration. 3. Its Development cum Production Partners were HAL and BEL. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB: ULPGM-V3 enhances ULPGM-V2; it has three modular warheads and the trials were for the anti-armour configuration. The DcPPs were Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited, not HAL and BEL, so 3 is wrong.