DRDO Plans for Advanced Turbojet-Powered Loitering Munition UAV

DRDO Plans for Advanced Turbojet-Powered Loitering Munition UAV


The Indian military is poised for a significant leap forward in aerial warfare capabilities with the Defense Research and Development Organization's (DRDO) plans to develop a next-generation turbojet-powered loitering munition. This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), essentially a flying bomb equipped with a turbojet engine, promises to revolutionize precision strike tactics.

With an envisioned range exceeding 100 kilometers, the munition will provide the Indian military with the ability to engage targets far beyond the immediate battlefield, offering unparalleled strategic flexibility. Designed to operate effectively day and night, even in harsh weather conditions, this munition aims to ensure mission readiness in diverse scenarios.

The DRDO's vision for this loitering munition includes the capability to neutralize both stationary and moving targets, making it adaptable to various combat situations. It's expected to be equipped with a sophisticated two-way data link for real-time communication and target identification, alongside an integrated dual electro-optic/infrared sensor for superior situational awareness.

Adding to its tactical versatility, the munition is planned to be launched from a variety of platforms within the Indian arsenal. Gunships, helicopters, and large unmanned aerial systems (UAS) could all potentially serve as launchpads, maximizing strategic deployment options based on mission requirements.

While ground-based trials are anticipated to begin from 2025 onwards, details about the specific turbojet engine remain under development. The DRDO is likely to choose an engine best suited for the munition's size and performance requirements.

This planned development by the DRDO signifies India's commitment to staying at the forefront of aerial warfare technology. The turbojet-powered loitering munition, with its extended range and advanced capabilities, holds the potential to significantly enhance the Indian military's offensive capabilities.
 
Prefer sooner trials. It is more important than buying additional Rafale.
 
After successfully testing in moon and mars surface IA and IAF will ask for testing in Neptune surface
 
DRDO making something often seems like delaying other potential options and still not being able to get the weapon system for a considerable amount of time till the technology is no longer niche.
 
Developing a turbojet powered loiter munition doesn't make much sense technologically, financially or capability. Loiter munitions need to be effective, easy and cheap to develop and make. Loiter munitions mostly use turboprop so it's light, quiet, has a longer flight time, give off a low infrared signature, lower radar detection etc which makes them ideal to make and effective against armoured vehicles, heavy weaponry and advanced weaponry that are on the move and incoming towards you. Using turbofan or turbojet engines are mainly useful in making subsonic or cruise missiles to hit high value targets or weapons. Using the indigenous STFE or Manik engine which is a small turbofan engine is ideal for the ITCM that we are using to develop our indigenous, cheap, reliable and effective cruise missile.
 
What is the size / weight of explosive/ warhead & other equipments it will carry, no mention of it
 
India should probably stockpile 20-30 thousand cheap suicide drones like the Iranian Shahed drones. Private industry can with provide most of the components. Probably have to improve the NaviIC satellite guidance so as not depend on GPS.
 
Some private companies have already demonstrated their variety of turbojet engines intended for such projects.
 

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