DRDO Develops Compact Missile for Drones with SAASM and INS
India's DRDO is developing a new low-cost, compact missile specifically designed for drones, enhancing their strike capabilities.
Source: GNews DRDO WeaponsThe Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a new compact missile for drones. This missile will be low-cost and feature advanced navigation and guidance systems. It will use a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) for secure GPS navigation. Additionally, an Inertial Navigation System (INS) will provide accurate guidance. The DRDO aims to equip Indian drones with indigenous, precise, and affordable strike options. This development by DRDO is crucial for modernizing India's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fleet. The compact size will allow various drone platforms to carry these missiles, increasing their operational flexibility and effectiveness in different mission scenarios. This initiative by DRDO strengthens India's self-reliance in defence technology.
This development is important for competitive exams under Science & Technology and Defence. It highlights India's progress in indigenous defence manufacturing and drone technology, relevant for UPSC GS Paper III and SSC General Awareness. Aspirants should understand the role of DRDO and the significance of advanced navigation systems in modern warfare.
- DRDO is developing a new low-cost compact missile for drones.
- The missile features a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) for secure GPS.
- It also incorporates an Inertial Navigation System (INS) for guidance.
- The development aims to provide indigenous strike options for Indian drones.
- SAASM is a military-grade GPS receiver technology.
- INS is a self-contained navigation technique that tracks position and orientation.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an agency of the Government of India, responsible for the research and development of military technology. It was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in New Delhi. DRDO works under the Ministry of Defence.
Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module is a military-grade GPS receiver technology. It provides secure and accurate positioning information, resistant to jamming and spoofing. SAASM ensures that military users have reliable access to GPS signals even in contested environments.
An Inertial Navigation System is a navigation aid that uses a computer, motion sensors (accelerometers), and rotation sensors (gyroscopes) to continuously calculate the position, orientation, and velocity of a moving object without the need for external references.
UPSC and SSC often ask about DRDO's latest defence projects, indigenous technologies, and the principles behind navigation systems like GPS and INS. Focus on the 'what' and 'why' of such developments.
DRDO's Drone Missile uses 'SAASM' for Secure Accuracy and 'INS' for Internal Navigation System. Think 'S-A-I-N' for its guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of DRDO's new compact missile for drones?
DRDO's new compact missile aims to provide Indian drones with indigenous, low-cost, and precise strike capabilities. It enhances the operational flexibility and effectiveness of India's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fleet in various mission scenarios.
How does SAASM benefit the new DRDO missile?
SAASM (Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module) provides secure and accurate GPS navigation for the DRDO missile. This military-grade technology makes the missile resistant to jamming and spoofing, ensuring reliable guidance even in challenging environments.
What is the role of an Inertial Navigation System (INS) in missile guidance?
An Inertial Navigation System (INS) in the DRDO missile continuously calculates its position, orientation, and velocity using internal sensors. It provides accurate guidance without relying on external signals, making the missile more robust and precise.