Air Force Is Given The First Batch Of Indigenous VTOL Loitering Weapons

The air force now has its first loitering munitions that were created and developed locally.

Written by Shruti Chaturvedi May 8, 2023

Air Force Is Given The First Batch Of Indigenous VTOL Loitering Weapons

The air force now has its first loitering munitions that were created and developed locally. They can be used in all types of terrain and at high altitudes, and they can destroy targets at a distance of more than 50 kilometres without putting any humans at risk.

The autonomous system, which was created by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), is intended for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). Throughout trials and tests, it has successfully proven its ability to execute accurate strikes.

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The news in brief:

A group of young engineers at TASL created the ALS 50 munition, commonly known as a suicide drone, which can be scaled up to improve firepower and targeting range. During trials in Ladakh last year, the device was used in high-altitude regions, as well as in Rajasthan’s scorching climate.

The unusual weapon has a quadcopter-like takeoff and landing motion and can change to a fixed wing configuration for long flight distances. The weapon allows for real-time aiming and can launch missions up to a 50 km distance, either manually or automatically.

Due to its VTOL capability, the device can manoeuvre in tight spaces like vessel decks, entrenched mountain positions, small jungle clearings, and narrow valleys. The military needs these loitering weapons to safely and effectively destroy adversary command centres, missile launchers, and armour without putting any humans at danger.