Sudarshan laser-guided bomb: Difference between revisions

'''Sudarshan''' ([[Hindi]]: सुदर्शन, "good-looking", also [[Krishna]]'s [[Chakra]]) is an Indian [[laser-guided bomb]] kit, developed by [[Aeronautical Development Establishment]] (ADE), a [[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]] lab with technological support from another DRDO lab [[Instruments Research and Development Establishment]] (IRDE),<ref>{{cite web|author=Dehradun, Oct 20 (PTI) |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/106116/india-develops-first-laser-guided.html |title=India develops first Laser Guided Bomb |publisher=Deccanherald.com |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Nitsi |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2010/10/21/india-invents-laser-guide-bomb.html |title=India invents 1st Laser Guided Bomb |publisher=News.oneindia.in |date=2010-10-21 |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref> for the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://netindian.in/news/2010/01/21/0004971/india-conducts-flight-trials-laser-guided-bombs |title=India conducts flight trials of laser-guided bombs |publisher=Netindian.in |date=2010-01-21 |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref><ref name="msn">{{citation |url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4480246&_p=544152d2-2200-4721-9dbc-eff67faec052#page=1 |publisher=MSN News |title=India develops first laser guided bomb |access-date=2012-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023005845/http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4480246#page=1 |archive-date=2010-10-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="xinhua">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-10/20/c_13567264.htm |title=India successfully develops advanced laser guided bomb |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2010-10-20 |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref>

The kit can guide a bomb within 10 m [[Circular error probable|CEP]] from its otherwise 400 m to 1000 m fall off the target.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Technology Focus|date=December 2010|volume=18|issue=6|pages=5–6|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/44208704/Indian-UAV-Programmes-Tech-Focus|title=Indian UAV Programmes|access-date=27 September 2014|publisher=Bulletin of Defence Research and Development Organisation|issn=0971-4413}}</ref> If dropped from normal altitude, it has a range of around 9&nbsp;km.<ref name=tniex20f /> A program to extend the kit's capability to further increase its range using [[global positioning system|GPS]] is ongoing.<ref name=drdod10 /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://weapons.technology.youngester.com/2010/11/sudarshan-lgb-kit.html |title=Weapon and Technology: Sudarshan LGB Kit |publisher=Weapons.technology.youngester.com |date=2010-11-28 |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref>

It is expected to rival [[GBU-12 Paveway II]] in performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defstrat.com/exec/frmArticleDetails.aspx?DID=234 |title=Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Made in India |publisher=Defstrat.com |date=2010-11-04 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514023950/http://www.defstrat.com/exec/frmArticleDetails.aspx?DID=234 |archive-date=2012-05-14 }}</ref> However, reports indicate that the kit may not support [[bunker buster]] bombs, forcing the IAF to look for alternatives.<ref name=sk44>{{cite news|title=Lockheed lowest bidder for laser-guided bombs for IAF|url=http://samantk.com/News/Defence/lockheed-lowest-bidder-for-laser-guided-bombs-for-iaf.html|access-date=13 July 2012|newspaper=Samantk.com|date=4 April 2012}}</ref><ref name=is12j>{{cite web|title=India set to acquire precision bomb technology|url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories13.htm|publisher=India Strategic|access-date=13 July 2012}}</ref>

The successful trials and flight tests in 2010 led ADE to further improve the bomb's accuracy. The Indian Air Force is upgrading a large number of unguided bombs to this standard based on the successful results.<ref name="imr" /><ref name=dc10j /> Sudarshan will be in service with the IAF bombers squadrons of [[Mikoyan MiG-27|Mig-27]] and [[SEPECAT Jaguar]]. Also, several other fighters in the IAF could carry these bombs for the air-to-ground attack tasks like [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI|Su-30MKI]], [[Dassault Mirage 2000#India|Mirage-2000]] and [[Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29]].<ref name="xinhua"/> It might also be used by the [[Indian Army]] for its long range artillery strike weapon and [[Indian Navy]] from an on-board launcher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-defence.com/reports/4081 |title=A 2008 news report |publisher=India-defence.com |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref>

* [[GBU-12 Paveway II]]