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{{Short description|Smart Glide Bomb}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = Gaurav long range glide bomb
| image = Gaurav glide bomb.jpg
| caption = Gaurav glide bomb during trials
| origin = [[India]]
| type = [[Guided bomb|Guided]] [[glide bomb]]<ref name="timesofindia.com">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jodhpur/DRDO-successfully-tests-glide-bombs-in-Pokhran/articleshow/53780015.cms|title=DRDO successfully tests 'glide bombs' in Pokhran|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|date=20 August 2016 |access-date=20 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="ndtv.com">{{cite web|url=http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/india-successfully-tests-one-ton-glide-bomb-why-thats-important-715505|title=India Successfully Tests One Ton Glide Bomb. Why That's Important|publisher=NDTV|accessdate=20 August 2016}}</ref>
| used_by =
| designer = [[G. Satheesh Reddy]], [[Research Centre Imarat]] ([[DRDO]])<ref name="timesofindia.com"/><ref name="ndtv.com"/>
| manufacturer = *[[Adani_Enterprises#Adani_Defence_&_Aerospace|Adani Defence & Aerospace]]
*[[Bharat Forge]]
| propellant =
| design_date = 2014–present
| production_date =
| engine =
| variants =
| weight =
* {{convert|500|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2025 |title=2023-24 Annual Report |url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR_2023-24-new-23-9-2025.pdf |access-date=10 October 2025 |website=Ministry of Defence, Government of India}}</ref>
* {{convert|1000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="timesofindia.com"/><ref name="ndtv.com"/>
| length = 4.0 m
| height =
| diameter = 0.62 m
| wingspan = 3.4 m
| speed =
| vehicle_range = {{convert|30-150|km|nmi}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rout |first1=Hemant Kumar |title=DRDO conducts release trials of LRGB ‘Gaurav’ in Odisha |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2025/Apr/12/drdo-conducts-release-trials-of-lrgb-gaurav-in-odisha |access-date=13 April 2025 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=12 April 2025}}</ref>
| ceiling =
| altitude = 10 km
| filling = [[CL-20]] ([[Fragmentation (weaponry)|fragmentation]], [[cluster munition]], [[Bunker buster|PCB]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2022-23 |url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/DEFENCE%20AR%202022-23%20LOW.pdf |access-date=30 March 2024 |website=Ministry of Defence |publisher=Government of India}}</ref>
| guidance = '''Mid-course:''' [[Inertial navigation system|INS]] + multi-[[GNSS]] and [[digital control]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-14 |title=India flight-tests Gaurav long-range glide bomb |url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/india-flight-tests-gaurav-long-range-glide-bomb |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Janes |language=en}}</ref> <br />'''Terminal:''' [[Semi-active laser homing|SALH]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Shishir|date=2021-10-29|title=India's 1st long-range 1 ton guided bomb test-fired, hits target 100 km away|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indias-1st-long-range-1-ton-guided-bomb-test-fired-hits-target-100-km-away-101635521080880.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-30|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029161123/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indias-1st-long-range-1-ton-guided-bomb-test-fired-hits-target-100-km-away-101635521080880.html |archive-date=29 October 2021 }}</ref>
| accuracy =
| launch_platform = [[Sukhoi Su-30 MKI]]<ref name="Hindu"/>
| detonation = [[Contact fuze|Contact]] and [[proximity fuze]]
}}

The '''Long Range Glide Bomb''', also known as '''Gaurav''' is a product of the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) to deploy a standardised medium range [[Precision-guided munition|precision guided weapon]], especially for engagement of targets from outside the range of standard [[anti-aircraft]] defenses, thereby increasing aircraft survivability and minimising friendly losses. The development was carried out by [[Research Centre Imarat]] with production from [[Adani Enterprises#Adani Defence & Aerospace|Adani Defence & Aerospace]] and [[Bharat Forge]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== Origin ==
The development of [[Glide bomb|glide bombs]] by the DRDO was first reported in June 2013. The guided bombs would carry varying payloads of {{Convert|100|kg|abbr=on}}, {{Convert|250|kg|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|500|kg|abbr=on}}. The agency had already conducted two trials of such bombs. The developmental trials were expected to be completed by 2014-end. The then DRDO chief also announced the development of an [[anti-radiation missile]] by the agency, which was later named [[Rudram (missile)|Rudram]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-06-02 |title=India developing guided bombs for fighters |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-developing-guided-bombs-for-fighters/articleshow/20391950.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-11-09 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-02 |title=India developing guided bombs for fighters |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/india-developing-guided-bombs-for-fighters/story-0XmJRbzTXv7EIvM0ssdeNM.html |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Press Trust of India |title=India developing guided bombs for fighters |url=http://www.business-standard.com:80/article/pti-stories/india-developing-guided-bombs-for-fighters-113060200084_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617161759/http://www.business-standard.com:80/article/pti-stories/india-developing-guided-bombs-for-fighters-113060200084_1.html |archive-date=2013-06-17 |access-date=2025-11-09}}</ref>

== Development ==
The bomb was designed by the [[Research Centre Imarat]] (RCI)<ref name="pib.nic.in">{{cite web |author= |date=2014-12-19 |title=DRDO Tests 1000 Kg Class Indigenous Guided Glide Bomb |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=113801 |accessdate=21 August 2016 |work=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref> in [[Hyderabad]] with the help of the [[Defence Avionics Research Establishment]] (DARE) in [[Bengaluru]], [[Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory]] (TBRL) in [[Chandigarh]] and [[Armaments Research and Development Establishment]] (ARDE) in [[Pune]].<ref name="timesofindia.com"/><ref name="ndtv.com"/> The team designed the bomb specially for the [[Indian Air Force]] to fulfill a requirement for precision guided weapons.<ref name="timesofindia.com"/><ref name="ndtv.com"/>

The length of the bomb is 4 meters and the diameter is 0.62 m. The wingspan of Gaurav is 3.4 meters. It has a range of up to 100 km and weighs 1,000 kg. It can carry either pre-fragmented or penetration-blast warheads.<ref name="timesofindia.com" /><ref name="Hindu">{{cite news |date=20 December 2014 |title=India tests glide bomb |url=http://m.thehindu.com/news/national/india-tests-glide-bomb/article6709249.ece |accessdate=20 August 2016 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> To guide the glide munition towards the target, DRDO Glide Bombs use a hybrid navigation approach that combines [[satellite guidance]] and an [[inertial navigation system]] with digital control.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-14 |title=India flight-tests Gaurav long-range glide bomb |url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/india-flight-tests-gaurav-long-range-glide-bomb |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Janes |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Missiles {{!}} Adani Defence & Aerospace |url=https://www.adanidefence.com/en/missiles |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.adanidefence.com}}</ref> Gaurav is claimed to be able to destroy a wide range of targets, such as [[Reinforced concrete|reinforced]] buildings, airfields, [[Bunker|bunkers]], and blast hardened structures.<ref name=":2" />

== Trials ==
* '''19 December 2014:''' A DRDO-developed 1,000 kg-class glide bomb was successfully tested in the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The bomb was dropped from an Indian Air force aircraft and covered a range of 100 km, guided through its on-board navigation system. The flight path is of the glide bomb was monitored by DRDO radars and electro-optic systems situated at [[Integrated Test Range]] (ITR), [[Chandipur, Odisha]].<ref name="pib.nic.in" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-12-22 |title=India tests 1000 kg guided Glide bomb which can hit target 100 kms away |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-and-current-affairs/story/india-tests-1000-kg-guided-glide-bomb-which-can-hit-target-100-kms-away-232344-2014-12-22 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
* '''29 October 2021:''' DRDO and IAF successfully tested the Long Range Glide Bomb from a [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI|Su-30MKI]] at [[Balasore]], [[Odisha]]. The bomb was released from 10 km altitude and successfully hit a sea based target using [[laser guidance]]. It is a 1,000 kg bomb which DRDO developed as an alternative to the [[Spice (bomb)|Spice 2000]]. The LRGB is part of a family of newly developed precision guided munitions with a range of 50 km to 150 km in range.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Shishir |date=2021-10-29 |title=India's 1st long-range 1 ton guided bomb test-fired, hits target 100 km away |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indias-1st-long-range-1-ton-guided-bomb-test-fired-hits-target-100-km-away-101635521080880.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029161123/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indias-1st-long-range-1-ton-guided-bomb-test-fired-hits-target-100-km-away-101635521080880.html |archive-date=29 October 2021 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-30|title=DRDO, Air Force successfully test India's first indigenously developed long-range bomb|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/drdo-air-force-test-india-first-long-range-bomb-7598371/|access-date=2021-10-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
* '''14 August 2024:''' The Gaurav glide bomb was successfully tested from a Su-30MKI, striking a target at [[Abdul Kalam Island]]. Using [[Electro-optical sensor|electro-optical tracking]] equipment and [[telemetry]] provided by the [[Integrated Test Range]], a team comprising DRDO, [[Adani Enterprises#Adani Defence & Aerospace|Adani Defence & Aerospace]], and [[Bharat Forge]] tracked the trajectory and performance.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=India Conducts 1st Flight Test Of Long-Range Glide Bomb 'Gaurav' From Sukhoi Fighter Jet |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-conducts-1st-flight-test-of-long-range-glide-bomb-gaurav-from-sukhoi-fighter-jet-6330959 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=NDTV.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rout |first=Hemant Kumar |date=2024-08-09 |title=Maiden test of long range glide bomb Gaurav from Su-30 MKI successful |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Aug/13/maiden-test-of-long-range-glide-bomb-gaurav-from-su-30-mki-successful |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2024-08-13 |title=DRDO carries out maiden test of Long Range Glide Bomb from Su-30MKI |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-carries-out-maiden-test-of-long-range-glide-bomb-from-su-30mki/article68521806.ece |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* '''8 to 10 April 2025:''' Release trials of LRGB Gaurav were conducted from a Su-30MKI by DRDO at the Integrated Test Range, where it was claimed to have demonstrated a maximum range of 100 km with "pinpoint accuracy".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-11 |title=DRDO conducts successful Release Trials of Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’ from Su-30 MKI aircraft |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2120989 |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=[[Press Information Bureau]] |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2025 |title=India Successfully Conducts Trials Of Long-Range Glide Bomb 'Gaurav' |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-successfully-conducts-trials-of-long-range-glide-bomb-gaurav-8143101 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref> The weapon was integrated to several stations in various warhead configurations for land targets during the trials.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-04-11 |title=DRDO conducts release trials of Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’ from Su-30 MKI |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-conducts-release-trials-of-long-range-glide-bomb-gaurav-from-su-30-mki/article69439542.ece |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Operators==
;{{IND}}
*[[Indian Air Force]]

==See also==
*[[BLU-109 bomb]] - United States

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
[[Category:Guided bombs]]
[[Category:Aerial bombs of India]]

Gaurav (glide bomb) - Revision history

Showbiz sportlight at 17:46, 5 April 2026