DRDO to Test 100km-Range EO-Equipped Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon, Enhancing India's Precision Strike Power Against Mobile Threats

India is on the verge of a major leap in its precision strike capability as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) prepares to test a new and advanced variant of the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). Unlike its earlier version, this upgraded weapon will feature a state-of-the-art Electro-Optical (EO) seeker that allows it to track and strike moving targets with pinpoint accuracy — a major breakthrough in indigenous strike weaponry.

The SAAW, originally designed to destroy stationary high-value enemy infrastructure such as runways, radar stations, and bunkers, is a lightweight, precision-guided glide bomb developed primarily by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad. It weighs around 125 kilograms and can be launched from fighter jets like the Jaguar, Su-30 MKI, Hawk, and potentially the Rafale.

Earlier versions of the SAAW relied on GPS and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) to reach their targets with a range of up to 100 kilometres. These guidance systems enabled accurate strikes against fixed targets but had limitations when engaging mobile threats. Recognizing the need for more flexible and dynamic attack options, DRDO has now incorporated an EO seeker in the latest variant of SAAW.

Electro-Optical Seeker: A Major Technological Leap

The Electro-Optical seeker uses advanced imaging systems—likely a combination of infrared and high-resolution video cameras—to lock onto targets visually. This means the weapon doesn’t need to rely solely on pre-fed coordinates or GPS signals. It can adjust its path in the terminal phase of flight by tracking the real-time movement of its target, even if it's on the move or attempting to evade detection.

This visual targeting capability gives the SAAW a "fire-and-forget" advantage. Once released by the pilot, the weapon autonomously navigates to the designated area and identifies the target on its own, ensuring greater hit accuracy even under heavy jamming or electronic warfare conditions.

Key Features and Specifications of the EO-Enhanced SAAW:

• Weight: ~125 kg

• Range: 100 kilometres

• Warhead: Designed to penetrate reinforced structures or disable runways

• Guidance System: Combined GPS-INS in standard version; EO seeker in advanced version

• Deployment Platforms: Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, Hawk, and possibly Rafale

• Target Capability: Fixed infrastructure and now mobile military units (such as missile launchers, command vehicles, convoys)

• Fire Mode: Fire-and-forget with autonomous target acquisition in EO variant

• Wings: Foldable design for aerodynamic efficiency and long-range gliding

Strategic Importance

With this upgrade, the SAAW is no longer limited to strategic strikes on enemy infrastructure. It can now be deployed in fluid battlefield environments to target moving platforms, such as mobile surface-to-air missile systems, artillery units, or moving command posts. This adaptability is particularly useful in mountainous or remote terrains like those found along India's borders, where mobile enemy systems are frequently deployed and repositioned.

Furthermore, the long standoff range of 100 kilometres ensures that the launching aircraft can stay out of reach of enemy air defences while executing the strike. This feature is essential in modern aerial warfare, where survivability and stand-off capability are as crucial as accuracy.

Towards Operational Deployment

DRDO is now preparing for a fresh series of flight tests scheduled around mid-2025, potentially at test ranges in Chandipur (Odisha) or Pokhran (Rajasthan). These trials will involve launches from key Indian Air Force aircraft, with a particular focus on validating the EO seeker’s ability to function in day and night conditions, challenging weather, and against simulated mobile targets.

Before these airborne trials, the EO seeker's imaging and tracking systems have already undergone rigorous ground testing. Engineers have also reworked the internal systems of the weapon to accommodate the EO seeker without compromising range or flight stability. The fact that the new seeker adds such a dramatic capability without increasing the overall weight or reducing performance shows how refined DRDO’s design approach has become.

A Step Closer to Self-Reliance

This development aligns with India’s broader goal of strengthening its self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The EO-equipped SAAW not only meets evolving operational requirements but also demonstrates that Indian defence technology is progressing to match global standards in smart munitions.

Once testing is complete and operational clearance is granted, the new SAAW could become a core component of India's tactical airstrike doctrine — enhancing its ability to neutralize enemy capabilities quickly and accurately without entering high-risk combat zones.

With this move, India is set to boost its precision strike arsenal, readying a next-generation glide bomb that combines stealth, flexibility, and lethality in a single platform.