ADE to Equip Archer Short-Range UAV with Long-Range, Precision-Guided Anti-Airfield Munitions

The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a leading laboratory of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is enhancing the Archer Short-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SRUAV) with the domestically developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). This integration will transform the Archer SRUAV into a potent platform for precision strikes against enemy airfields.

The SAAW is a long-range, precision-guided munition specifically designed to neutralize airfield infrastructure. Weighing approximately 125 kg, this munition can strike targets up to 100 km away, enabling the SRUAV to engage runways, hangars, and radar installations from a safe distance. Its lightweight and compact design make it well-suited for deployment on unmanned platforms like the Archer.

Having already proven its ability to deliver weapons in previous trials, the Archer SRUAV is undergoing further modifications to integrate the SAAW. The SRUAV will be equipped to carry at least two SAAWs, significantly amplifying its offensive capabilities.

By integrating advanced weapon systems like the SAAW, ADE and DRDO are increasing the Archer SRUAV's operational relevance for the Indian armed forces. This development also highlights India's growing expertise in developing sophisticated UAVs equipped with precision-guided munitions, potentially attracting international interest.

 

[Enforcer]

Anti Airfield weapons are typically quite large. This weapons seems too small to carry a large warhead. Typically either a singular large penetrating warhead or multiple cluster bomblets warhead. This seems fishy...

 

[Enforcer]

Most countries just use either a penetrating warhead Jdam or a cruise missile or accurate ballistic missile for anti airfield operations.

It will be difficult for any fighter or UAV to get close to an airfield.

This seems useless.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

100KM is a good range. Also, it would be great if glide bombs can be integrated with it.

 

[kumar]

A typical drone swarms with fully indigenious SAAW is pretty sure to overwhelm any target airfield.

 

[Dredd]

Anti Airfield weapons are typically quite large. This weapons seems too small to carry a large warhead. Typically either a singular large penetrating warhead or multiple cluster bomblets warhead. This seems fishy...

two SAAW will weight approx 300kg including launcher, which is payload capability of Archer, thing I am confused is new nomenclature SRUAV, while it was meant to be MALE class UAV.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

two SAAW will weight approx 300kg including launcher, which is payload capability of Archer, thing I am confused is new nomenclature SRUAV, while it was meant to be MALE class UAV.

Do not be confused between Archer-NG and Archer SRUAV.

Archer-NG is the MALE UAVE.

SRUAV stands for Short Range UAV of Turkish TB-2 category. It has a range and endurance of 220 km and 12 hrs. It is for tactical surveillance and strike roles.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

Anti Airfield weapons are typically quite large. This weapons seems too small to carry a large warhead. Typically either a singular large penetrating warhead or multiple cluster bomblets warhead. This seems fishy...

SAAW is for precision strikes from far away. It has 80 kg warhead as per DRDO.

The larger anti airfield weapons you are talking about are mean to be fired from close ranges which is risky for low maneuverable UAVs. So, you either go for low range high firepower or low firepower high range.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical armed drone that can be used locally by different corps commanders. This is an ideal short range tactical drone which is being armed by SAAW but it will eventually carry normal gravity dropped bombs, glide bombs or HSLD bombs etc.

Now we should manufacture this drone 100% indigenously and look to sell it abroad. The ideal countries to buy it will be from Africa, South America or countries that are constantly at war with armed insurgents and terrorists.

 

[Hawk]

The only problem here is not a single SAAW has been inducted till date even after it was officially handed over to IAF by MoD after DRDO claimed it completed all trials. In reality, IAF found multiple shortcomings and requested for improvements which has not been completed yet.