Drone-launched missile fired by India, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh praises it as significant enhancement to defense capabilities.
India's ULPGM-V3 Precision Missile Successfully Tested
India has taken a significant step forward in its pursuit of indigenous defence technologies with the successful testing of the ULPGM-V3, a next-generation precision-guided missile. The flight trials of the ULPGM-V3 were conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The ULPGM-V3 is a lightweight, precision, fire-and-forget missile designed for use with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Its key capabilities and features include a passive homing imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, enabling autonomous target tracking and engagement both during day and night operations. The missile has an operational range of approximately 4 km during daytime and about 2.5 km at night, allowing for precision strikes on both static and moving targets from a safe standoff distance.
The ULPGM-V3 weighs around 12.5 kg and is powered by a small dual-thrust solid propellant motor, ensuring effective extended range and maneuverability. It also features a two-way datalink, facilitating communication between the UAV and missile for target updates, enhancing precision in complex operational scenarios. The missile is lightweight and multi-platform compatible, designed to be deployable from various aerial platforms, increasing operational flexibility for different UAVs and missions.
Advanced warhead and guidance technologies, although classified, are incorporated into the ULPGM-V3, building upon prior variants and improving terminal guidance and payload delivery systems suitable for precision strike roles. The ULPGM-V3 is designed to engage a wide variety of targets in both plain and high-altitude regions.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the successful launch of the ULPGM-V3 as a "significant boost to India's defence capabilities." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote that the success of the ULPGM-V3 proves that the Indian industry is now ready to absorb and produce critical Defence Technologies. He also congratulated DRDO and its industry partners, DcPPs, MSMEs, and Start-ups for the development and successful trials of the ULPGM-V3 system.
Notably, the ULPGM-V3 was launched from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Indian start-up Newspace Research Technologies, marking a significant collaboration between the public and private sectors in India's defence industry. This successful launch is considered a key milestone in India's push for indigenous defence technologies.
- India's success in testing the ULPGM-V3 could potentially revolutionize its defense strategies, as it showcases the country's advancements in precision missile technology, especially in conjunction with various UAV platforms.
- Given India's recent milestone in the successful testing of the ULPGM-V3, the fusion of traditional cricket passion with the emerging tech sector could lead to innovative applications of precision guidance systems, much like precision bowling strategies in the sport of cricket.
