HAWK-I AIRCRAFT SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRED SMART ANTI-AIRFIELD WEAPONS (SAAW)

On 21st January, 2021, Hindustan Aeronautical Agency (HAL) successfully test fired a Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from the Hawk-i aircraft off the coast of Odisha. The indigenous stand-off weapon developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO is the first smart weapon fired from an Indian Hawk-Mk 132.

“The Hawk-i is HAL’s internally funded programme offering the armed forces an upgrade and combat capability for the Hawk, transforming it into an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), providing training on sensors and weapons in peacetime into a potent combat platform during conflict,” an HAL statement read.

The SAAW is a long-range precision-guided anti-airfield wepeon of 125 kg used to destroy ground targets, such as runways, bunkers, aircraft hangars and other reinforced structures from a range of 100 km.