Indian Army aims to acquire Multi Barrel Loiter Munition (MBLM) System capable of being launched from Pinaka MLRS barrels

Source : IgMp Bureau

Representative Image (New generation of Chinese SR-5 multi-caliber MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System at AirShow china 2022, that has added capability to launch Loitering Munitions from its barrels)

The Indian Army has taken a strategic initiative to acquire and develop a state-of-the-art Multi Barrel Loiter Munition (MBLM) system, a next-generation unmanned aerial platform designed to enhance precision strikes. Loiter munitions (LM), also known as "kamikaze drones," are armed with warheads and can hover over a designated target area, delivering accurate strikes upon confirmation. This advanced technology offers a tactical edge by reducing the need for extra personnel and enabling mass deployment under battlefield conditions.

Loiter munitions represent a groundbreaking shift in modern combat. Unlike conventional artillery or missile systems, these drones can linger in the air above potential targets, collecting real-time intelligence before initiating a precise strike by crashing into the target. This ability to hover and strike enhances accuracy, minimizes collateral damage, and ensures that high-value targets are effectively neutralized.

The Indian Army’s vision for the MBLM system is particularly innovative as it seeks to incorporate loiter munitions into existing artillery rocket systems such as GRAD, PINAKA, and SMERCH. These platforms, already known for their ability to unleash powerful rocket salvos, could gain the added capability of launching loiter munitions. This would provide military commanders with a highly adaptable and lethal tool on the battlefield.

If successful, the MBLM system would allow for the mass deployment of loiter munitions without additional manpower. This capability is expected to significantly amplify the effectiveness of current artillery systems, allowing the Army to carry out high-intensity, long-range precision strikes with minimal operational delays.

Key System Requirements and Challenges

The Indian Army has specified several crucial components needed for the MBLM system development:

1. Ground-Based Simulator: To ensure smooth integration and operator readiness, a simulator will be built to train personnel in operating the MBLM system across diverse battlefield scenarios.

2. Multi-Barrel Launch System: The system will be designed to be compatible with GRAD, PINAKA, and SMERCH platforms, capable of launching 10 or more loiter munitions in a single salvo. This will increase the volume and scale of attacks, ensuring saturation strikes on enemy forces.

3. Engine and Propulsion System: Advanced propulsion is needed to ensure that loiter munitions can travel long distances and stay airborne for extended periods, waiting for target confirmation.

4. High-Speed Airframe with Actuators and Cable Harness: A durable, agile airframe capable of high-speed maneuvers, along with actuators and electronics for effective control, is vital for mission success.

5. Onboard Flight Control Computer and Sensors: The loiter munition system must include a flight control computer that enables autonomous navigation and is equipped with sensors for real-time situational awareness.

6. Long-Range Communication System: A robust and secure communication link, ensuring data integrity and immunity from interference, is essential, especially in environments with electronic warfare threats.

7. Warhead and Fuse: The munitions will carry highly lethal warheads, with fuses designed for precision detonation upon impact.

8. Anti-Jammer GPS/EO-IR Seeker: The loiter munitions will feature a seeker system with anti-jamming GPS, Electro-Optical (EO), Infrared (IR), and vision guidance systems for operation in GPS-denied or jammed environments.

9. Ground Control Station (GCS): The GCS will be designed to manage multiple loiter munitions simultaneously, facilitating coordinated strikes and efficient battlefield resource management.

Chinese SR-5 MLRS with Loitering Munition launching capability (Picture Weibo China Social Network)

Strategic and Tactical Advantages

Integrating loiter munitions with existing Indian Army artillery systems presents several strategic and tactical benefits:

• Enhanced Operational Tempo: The swift deployment of loiter munitions from existing platforms will allow commanders to rapidly address emerging battlefield threats.

• Increased Versatility: Loiter munitions can perform a range of missions, including surveillance, target acquisition, and precision strikes, reducing the need for separate platforms for each task.

• Cost-Effective Mass Deployment: By launching multiple loiter munitions in salvo mode, the Army can saturate target areas, ensuring key assets are destroyed without requiring additional personnel or hardware.

• Reduced Collateral Damage: The ability to verify targets before striking ensures greater precision, reducing the risk of accidental damage to civilian areas or non-combatants.

The development of the MBLM system represents a major leap forward in modernizing India’s artillery and unmanned systems. As the Indian Army continues to pursue advanced technologies, systems like MBLM will be essential in ensuring that India’s military forces remain well-prepared to tackle the complexities of modern warfare.

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