India has reportedly test launched the indigenously developed smart anti-airfield weapon (SAAW) in the state of Karnataka.
The Times of India (TOI) cited Union Ministry of Defence sources as saying that during the trial, the precision-guided glide bomb was successfully fired from Jaguar aircraft in Bangalore.
Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the weapon has been designed to intercept targets at distances ranging between 80km and 100km.
Prior to the test launch by IAF’s Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment in Bangalore, SAAW was supposed to be tested in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. However, the officials called off the tests due to technical issues.
IAF and DRDO officials were quoted by TOI as saying: "It is a long-range, precision guided air-to-surface weapon and can be launched from Jaguar and Su-30 aircraft.
"In future, the same can be integrated to the French Rafale aircraft being imported by the IAF."
The SAAW will undergo another test in Jaisalmer, before being integrated with Su-30 aircraft for multiple weapon trials, according to TOI.
Tests to evaluate the performance of SAAW’s subsystems, aerodynamics and wings have been already completed.
Using SAAW, the IAF will be able to destroy concrete runways and bunkers of enemy with deep penetration capabilities.
