DRDO Successfully Tests ULPGM-V3 Missile Launched from Indian UAV

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3  at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

According to the DRDO, the missile was equipped with an anti-armour warhead that is capable of penetrating modern combat armoured vehicles.

The ULPGM-V3 is an enhanced version of the ULPGM-V2 missile, offering three distinct warhead configurations.

The successful test reflects India's focus on developing an unmanned precision strike capability, which has become a key feature of modern warfare.

Development of ULPGM-V3 Missile 

The ULPGM-V3 Missile has been developed by a consortium of DRDO laboratories- Research Centre Imarat (Hyderabad), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (Hyderabad), Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (Chandigarh), High-Energy Materials Research Laboratory (Pune), Integrated Test Range and Defence Electronics Research Laboratory. 

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), used to test the missile, was developed by Newspace Research Technologies, an Indian start-up based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Production 

The ULPGM-V3 is being produced by Adani Defence Aerospace and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

Features of the ULPGM-V3 

The ULPGM-V3  is equipped with a high-definition dual-channel seeker that is capable of destroying moving and static targets in both day and night conditions.

The missile can be fired in both high-altitude and plain areas.

It has an enhanced range compared to its predecessor, ULPGM-V2, which has a range of  4 km.

The DRDO has not revealed the range of the ULPGM-V3 

It features a two-way data link that guides the missile to the target with pinpoint accuracy, and its missile can adjust its trajectory in mid-flight.

Warhead of the ULPGM-V3

The Missile is fitted with three types of warheads

Anti-Personnel warhead 

It is a type of Blast-cum-Fragmenting warhead designed and developed to inflict damage to soft targets like personnel in an open field, soft-skinned vehicles, etc. The hardened steel balls are used as pre-formed fragments. 

Bunker Buster warhead

It is a type of Explosively Formed Projectile warhead that is designed to penetrate hardened bunkers and damage the soft targets inside the room/structure. 

Anti-armour / Anti-tank warhead 

It is a type of conical-shaped charge warhead designed and developed to defeat hard targets like heavily armoured vehicles, MBTs, etc in top attack mode. It can penetrate armoured vehicles equipped with Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA) with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA).

About National Open Area Range (NOAR)

It is a Comprehensive Electronic Warfare Test Range established by the DRDO in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.

The DRDO conducts simulations of Multi-threat scenarios covering communication and radar bands, as well as facilities for testing high-energy laser systems.

Also Read: PM lays foundation stone of DRDO's new Missile Testing range in Andhra