India News | SDAL, CSIR-NAL Collaborate for Design and Development of 150 Kg Class Loitering Munition
In a significant development, the Centre for Military Airpower Studies (CMAS) at the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Society for Development of Advanced Machinery (SDAL) has partnered with the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to design and develop a 150 kg class loitering munition.
The collaborative effort aims to create an indigenous, high-end Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system, which will provide the Indian Armed Forces with a significant operational advantage. The project's primary objective is to develop a loitering munition that can be used for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, as well as precision strikes against enemy targets.
The partnership brings together the expertise of SDAL and NAL in the fields of aeronautics and aerospace engineering. SDAL's experience in designing and developing advanced machinery will be complemented by NAL's capabilities in aerodynamics, materials science, and systems engineering. The collaboration is expected to result in a UAV system that is highly maneuverable, has a long loiter time, and can carry a variety of payloads.
The development of an indigenous loitering munition is a significant step towards enhancing the Indian Armed Forces' capabilities. The system will not only reduce dependence on foreign suppliers but also provide the military with greater flexibility and autonomy in conducting operations. The successful completion of the project will have far-reaching implications for India's national security and defense strategy.
