Context:
Three Defense Ministry PSUs—Troop Comforts Limited (TCL), Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), and Munitions India Limited (MIL) have successfully developed a prototype of a drone-mounted medium machine gun (MMG).
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- The drone being developed by TCL will be capable of firing a machine gun with a range of up to 1,800 meters and operating within a 10 km radius for 40 minutes in enemy territory.
- It will also have the ability to detect hidden enemies and will be equipped with advanced cameras and sensors.
- Turkey and Australia currently have drone-mounted guns with a firing range of 400 meters.
- The Defense Ministry PSU is developing a drone-mounted medium machine gun (MMG) with over four times that range.
- This advancement will not only enhance the army’s firepower but also boost export potential.
- Under the leadership of Ordnance Equipment Factory (OEF), Hazratpur (Firozabad), TCL Kanpur is working on manufacturing drones capable of carrying guns weighing up to 35 kg.
- The drones will be capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -5°C to 55°C, allowing them to function effectively from the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan.
- Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) will manufacture the drone-mounted machine gun, which will be remotely operated by a specialized control room team.
- Munitions India Limited (MIL) will produce the ammunition for the machine gun.
- Modifications and improvements will be made based on the Indian Army’s requirements.
- After successful trials, the drone-mounted MMG will be delivered to the Indian Army.
- Features of the drone-mounted MMG:
- A 7.62 mm machine gun will be mounted on the drone.
- The drone can carry weapons and fly up to 10 km.
- The machine gun on the drone can fire bullets within a range of 1,800 meters.
- The drone can carry a payload of 35 kg.
- The armed drone will fly at a speed of 15 meters/second.