Hyderabad: The Defence Research and Development Organisation on Friday successfully tested a smart bomb developed by the Hyderabad-based DRDO Research Centre Imarat. The bomb was dropped by an Indian Air Force aircraft in the Bay of Bengal and it travelled for 100 km before hitting its target with precision, said the DRDO officials. This is the first test of the RCI-developed smart bomb, also called a “glide bomb”.

Smart bombs are conventional bombs, but with an onboard navigation system that allows it to travel on its own. This means the aircraft dropping the smart bomb does not need to reach the target to drop the bomb.

DRDO director-general Avinash Chander congratulated the team led by Dr S. Prasad Rao. “The nation today has the capability to design, develop and launch heavy bombs, for delivery up to 100-km away with high precision,” Mr Chander said.