Source : The Economic Times
TASL delivers first batch of indigenous ALS-50 Loitering Munitions to the Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force has received its first indigenously designed and developed loitering munitions. These are capable of operating from all kinds of terrain and high altitude areas and can take down targets at a range of over 50 km, without exposing any personnel to risk.
Developed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), the autonomous system is designed for Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) and has successfully demonstrated its capability to carry out precision strikes during trials and tests.
Named the ALS 50, the munition – also known as a suicide drone – has been developed by a team of young engineers at TASL and can be scaled up to increase firepower as well as targeting distance. The system has been operated in high altitude areas during trials in Ladakh last year and in hot conditions in Rajasthan as well.
The unique weapon can take off like a quadcopter and transition into fixed wing mode during flight for long distance travel. Capable of launching missions upto a distance of 50 km, the weapon enables real time targeting, either by the operator or autonomously.
It is controlled from a ground control station where the operator gets a real-time video of the theatre of operations and selects an attack option. The accuracy of the system has been tested to be less than 2 meters, adequate to carry out precise strikes. In case the mission has to be aborted, it can be easily recovered given its VTOL capability.
Future development can include integration of Artificial Intelligence and swarming capabilities, depending on requirements of the armed forces. The weapon is also likely to be a contender for export orders, given an increasing demand for such systems worldwide.
The VTOL capability gives the system the ability to operate in areas where limited space is available, like narrow valleys, fortified mountain positions, small jungle clearings and the decks of warships. These kinds of loitering munitions are required by the armed forces to accurately take down high value targets like command centres, missile launchers and enemy armour, without exposing any personnel to risk. TASL delivers first batch of indigenous ALS-50 Loitering Munitions to the Indian Air Force TASL delivers first batch of indigenous ALS-50 Loitering Munitions to the Indian Air Force TASL delivers first batch of indigenous ALS-50 Loitering Munitions to the Indian Air Force TASL delivers first batch of indigenous ALS-50 Loitering Munitions to the Indian Air Force IgMp
