Key Highlights
- ULPGM V3 showcased a successful flight test from a UAV, with a daytime reach of 4 km and night coverage of 2.5 km.
- Its fire‑and‑forget architecture is powered by a passive imaging infrared seeker, enabling autonomous operation at all times of day.
- Design and testing are overseen by DRDO, while production is handled jointly with Adani and Bharat Dynamics, engaging MSMEs and start‑ups.
- This milestone marks a decisive push towards an entirely indigenous, high‑end defence technology ecosystem.
Detailed Insights
India’s long‑term strategy to couple advanced missile systems with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles culminated in the ULPGM V3 flight trials conducted at the National Open Area Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The missile is a 12.5‑kilogram fire‑and‑forget air‑to‑surface weapon. Its dual‑thrust solid‑fuel propulsion and dual‑mode passive seeker give it a 4‑km range during daylight and 2.5‑km when the sky darkens.
Data links allow bidirectional communication, and multiple warhead options make it effective against both stationary and moving targets.
The project brings together private‑sector partners—including MSMEs, start‑ups, and Defence Capital Procurement Partners—under the leadership of DRDO’s design and testing arm.
Key Concepts
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): An aircraft operated without a pilot onboard, used to launch missiles or perform surveillance.
- Passive Infrared Seeker: A guidance system that follows heat signatures rather than emitting signals, ensuring stealthy targeting.
- Fire‑and‑Forget Missile: A weapon that, once released, autonomously tracks and engages its target without further operator input.