SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India announced the development of a cutting-edge 81mm Mortar Telemetry Bomb, a non-explosive round designed to revolutionize artillery training and fire-control calibration. Equipped with advanced sensors, this innovative munition captures critical flight data such as velocity, trajectory, and environmental conditions in real time, transmitting the information wirelessly to ground systems. The development, spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with private industry partners, marks a significant step in India’s push to enhance the precision and effectiveness of its artillery systems.
The 81mm Mortar Telemetry Bomb is fired like a conventional mortar round but serves an entirely different purpose. Instead of delivering an explosive payload, it is embedded with sensors that monitor its flight parameters throughout its trajectory. These sensors track key metrics, including muzzle velocity, angular deviation, and atmospheric effects like wind speed and temperature, which can impact a mortar’s accuracy. The data is transmitted live via a secure telemetry link to a ground-based fire-control system, allowing artillery units to analyze and adjust their firing solutions in real time. This capability is expected to significantly improve the calibration of mortar systems, ensuring greater accuracy during live combat scenarios.
India’s 81mm mortars, widely used by the Indian Army for their portability and effectiveness in mountainous and urban terrains, have long been a cornerstone of infantry support. However, achieving consistent accuracy with mortars can be challenging due to variables like barrel wear, propellant inconsistencies, and environmental factors. The telemetry bomb addresses these challenges by providing precise, real-time data that can be used to fine-tune fire-control systems, reducing the margin of error and enhancing the lethality of mortar strikes. This is particularly crucial in counter-insurgency operations along the Line of Control (LoC) and in high-altitude areas like Ladakh, where precision is paramount to avoid collateral damage.
The development of the telemetry bomb aligns with India’s broader efforts to modernize its artillery under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The Indian Army has been increasingly focusing on integrating advanced technology into its operations, as seen with the induction of systems like the Dhanush howitzer and the ongoing trials of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). The telemetry bomb complements these efforts by providing a cost-effective solution for training and calibration, reducing the need for live explosive rounds during practice—a move that also enhances safety and lowers operational costs.
Industry partners involved in the project, reportedly including firms like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and private players under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) scheme, have emphasized the bomb’s rugged design. Built to withstand the high G-forces of a mortar launch, the telemetry round is engineered for reusability, with its sensors protected by a reinforced casing. Posts on X have highlighted the system’s potential, with users noting that similar telemetry rounds used by NATO forces have improved artillery accuracy by up to 30%. While official figures for the Indian system are yet to be released, the DRDO aims to achieve comparable gains, tailoring the technology to the unique operational needs of the Indian Army.
The development also reflects India’s growing expertise in sensor technology and data analytics, areas critical to modern warfare. The telemetry bomb’s ability to integrate with fire-control systems suggests a move toward networked warfare, where real-time data can be shared across units to improve situational awareness and decision-making. This capability could eventually be scaled to other artillery systems, such as 120mm mortars or even larger-caliber howitzers, further enhancing the Army’s overall firepower.
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