Bhubaneswar: In a big boost to the indigenous Hawk-i programme, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday successfully test-fired a Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from the aircraft off Odisha coast.
The indigenous stand-off weapon developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO, is the first smart weapon fired from an Indian Hawk-Mk132.
The Hawk-I is HAL’s internally funded programme offering the Indian Armed Forces an upgraded combat capability for the Hawk, transforming it into an advance Jet Trainer providing training on sensors and weapons in peacetime into a potent combat platform during conflict.
The SAAW is an aircraft launched, advanced, precision strike weapon of 125 kg category used to attack and destroy enemy airfield assets such as radars, bunkers, taxi tracks, runways within a range of 100 kms.
The Smart Anti Airfield Weapon was successful test fired from Jaguar aircraft in the past.
"HAL has been focussing on the Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign. The company owned HAWK-i platform is being extensively used for certification of systems and weapons developed indigenously by DRDO and CISR labs," HAL CMD, R Madhavan.