The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received its first batch of Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Loitering Munitions, ALS-50 which have been indigenously designed and developed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
The autonomous system has successfully proved its capacity to carry out accurate strikes during trials and tests. The technology was tested in high-altitude settings in Ladakh last year, as well as in scorching temperatures in Rajasthan.
About ALS 50 VTOL Loitering Munition
The ALS 50 munition, sometimes known as a suicide drone, 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.
It is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that has a length of 2.4 m, a wingspan of 3.8 m, and a maximum takeoff weight of 50 kg.
Further, it has a cruise speed of 100 km/h, an endurance of more than 1 hour, and a range of more than 50 km.
Besides, the UAV can carry a range of anti-personnel and anti-armour warheads weighing up to 6 kg including explosively formed penetrator (EFP).
Brief Specifications:
Here are some of the brief specifications of ALS-50 VTOL Loitering Munition:-
- Weight <20Kg with 20+ Km of range and 120+ mins of endurance
- Fully autonomous
- Low signature
- Anti-Jamming features in built
- Quickly deployable
- Day & Night EOIR (camera)
Image Courtesy: https://www.bhaskar.com/
