The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launched precision guided missile (ULPGM)-V3. The trials were conducted in both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant boost to India's self-reliance in defence technology.
Integrated Ground Control System
The trials were carried out using an integrated ground control system (GCS) to command and control the ULPGM weapon system. The GCS incorporates state-of-the-art technologies designed to automate readiness and launch operations, enhancing operational efficiency.
Development and Production Partners
The ULPGM missile has been developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) Hyderabad as the nodal laboratory, in collaboration with other DRDO labs such as the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) Chandigarh, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune. DRDO has partnered with two production agencies: Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited, Hyderabad, for the development and production of the missiles.
The system has been integrated on UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru, for the current trials. The missile has been produced entirely through the Indian defence ecosystem, involving a large number of MSMEs and other industries. The trials confirmed a fully mature domestic supply chain, equipped for immediate serial mass production.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and DRDO Chief Samir V Kamat have congratulated DRDO, public sector undertakings, production partners, and the industry for the successful development trials of ULPGM-V3.
